Pinellas County deputies are searching for a man who inappropriately touched a girl May 21 at the Wagon Wheel Flea Market.
The incident occurred as her father turned to speak with someone at the flea market at 7801 Park Blvd. N. in Pinellas Park, according to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The father turned back to check on his daughter and saw the suspect speaking to her, deputies said. He saw the suspect rub her buttocks over her clothing.
"That person probably preys on areas like this because they know there are so many people that nobody's watching," said Craig Fennen, who works in one of the shops inside of the flea market. "People come out here with their families and I bring my nephews out here."
The father confronted the man, who deputies say admitted to touching the girl. The suspect then ran through the flea market and into nearby woods.
"Hopefully he gets caught and doesn't go on and it doesn't happen to anyone else," Fennen said.
The suspect is a white man standing about 6 feet tall with a slim build. He is about 50 years old. He was wearing a gray cap, a lime-green shirt, khaki shorts and white shoes. He wore a satchel-type bag.
If you have information, call Detective Marvin Mitchell at 727-582-6200. To remain anonymous and eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS.
