Denver police are searching for a man who tried to molest an adult developmentally disabled employee at an ARC Thrift Store this afternoon.
Another employee intervened and the assailant ran from the store at 1515 South Broadway, near East Florida Avenue, at about 2:30 p.m., according to police and store officials.
Denver police spokesperson Sonny Jackson and ARC of Denver spokeswoman Lori Jones said they could not discuss the victim in any manner.
“She’s doing as well as she can under the circumstances,” Jones said. “She’s at home with her family, and they’re taking care of her.”
Lloyd Lewis, ARC of Denver president and CEO, said the woman was hanging clothes, and when she bent over, a man tried to grab her from behind.
A male employee was nearby and confronted the man.
“Of course, I’m outraged,” said Lewis, the father of an 8-year-old son with Down syndrome. “It’s every parent’s fear, and, unfortunately, people with disabilities are often victims because people think they can do it and get away with it.”
The man is described as white, in his 30s or 40s, about 6 feet tall. He was wearing a baseball cap, shorts, a black T-shirt and half-calf sports socks.
Police were still interviewing store employees and examining a surveillance video, which they hope to release to the media as soon as possible, Jackson said.
“We’ll learn a lot more when we can talk to the victim, and we’re not going to be able to do that until tomorrow.” Jackson said. “We want to get this information out as soon as possible and find this individual.”
Anyone with information can call Denver police at 720-913-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
