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Police: Man attempts to grab girl on her way to school in Tacony

Published  November 29, 2018 12:02pm EST
US
FOX 29 Philadelphia

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - UPDATE: Philadelphia police have arrested and charged a man after they say he groped a young girl as she walked to school Wednesday morning.

Joshua Perierra-Lopez, 29, surrendered to police shortly after the incident and has been charged with indecent assault, terroristic threats, and simple assault.

MORE: Man accused of groping young girl in Tacony arrested, charged

Philadelphia police are searching for a man who was caught on camera attempting to grab a young girl on her way to school.

People in Tacony say they're disgusted finding out about a disturbing allegation of an assault against a child caught on video. Police sources say it happened outside of Nick's Auto Body shop on the 4600 block of Longshore Avenue.

It was around 8 a.m. when a young girl--maybe 10 or 12 years old--was walking to school with her backpack on and a cell phone up to her ear. Police say a man on the block sees her, catches up to her and reaches for her backside. The child--caught off guard-- whips around then follows him. There is a brief exchange before he walks to a car and gets inside the video shows him driving away.

Lynne Bernatovich lives across the street from where the alleged assault happened...

"I usually open my curtains early this time I didn't or I would've helped that little girl that was not right what that guy did," she said.

Bernatovich says she saw the video. It was initially posted on Facebook by a disgusted parent, but it was later removed.

The creepy exchange happened less than one block from Keystone Academy Charter School. The school sent a letter home to families in light of the incident saying that the 15th Police District would increase patrols near the school. The letter also advised parents to remind their children to be vigilant and to pay close attention to their surroundings. It went on to say "require your child to walk in a group during morning arrival and dismissal and to report suspicious behaviors to an adult."