Gilroy Police are looking for a man who allegedly tried to annoy or molest a 2-year-old boy at a local store.
The incident occurred about 3pm Jan. 25, when a Gilroy family was shopping at the Goodwill store, located at 845 First Street. At one point, the father noticed his toddler son was not in the aisle with his other children, according to a press release from Gilroy Police.
The father searched the store and found his son in a different aisle, holding an unknown adult male’s hand, police said. The father heard the suspect say, “Let’s go, buddy,” as he appeared to be leading the 2-year-old boy to the front of the store.
The father confronted the suspect, who then let go of the child’s hand, according to police. Shortly afterwards, the child’s father informed the store’s employees about what had happened.
The employees had already escorted the suspect out of the store for shoplifting, police said. The suspect became aggressive as the store’s employees talked to him outside. He began to yell and strike the building, and employees locked the doors to keep him out.
The suspect eventually left the store on a blue bicycle with a basket attached to the front, police said. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 35 to 40 years old, 5-feet 10-inches tall, 180 to 200 pounds with a bald head. He had tattoos on the back of his head and neck area. The man was wearing a blue polo shirt with thin horizontal stripes, long black shorts, white socks and black and white Nike shoes. Investigators do not know the suspect’s name.
The incident was reported to Gilroy Police on Jan. 26, and is actively under investigation.
Anyone with information can call the Gilroy Police Det. Silva at (408) 846-0335. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Tip Line at (408) 846-0330.
