The Springfield Police Department (Oregon) reports that a 24-year-old man was arrested after allegedly pulling down a mask and kissing a 1 ½ year old on the lips whom he didn’t know.
Police say the incident occurred on March 25 at 6:08 pm when an Officer was flagged down by a father who reported a stranger (later identified as Austin Blake Stewart) had just pulled his face mask off, and kissed his daughter on the lips inside WINCO.
Just prior to seeing the Officer, the father was searching for the suspect.
During the investigation, the Officer learned that while inside the store, the mother had her 1 ½ year old daughter in her shopping cart. While the mother glanced away for a brief moment, the suspect leaned down, removed his mask and kissed their daughter on the lips and then departed. The mother began searching for the suspect, but he had vanished. She alerted her husband and WINCO staff.
Officers began searching, and later found Stewart under a blanket on 18th St.
He was lodged at the Springfield Municipal Jail with charges that included Physical Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.
