Man “Inappropriately Touched” Girls in Wal-Mart, Target Stores: San Leandro Police

Police in the East Bay are looking for help identifying a man they say groped two girls inside a Wal-Mart and then, a few minutes later, a Target store.

The man seen in surveillance images released by San Leandro Police Department on Wednesday is accused of touching a girl inside the Wal-Mart on Hesperian Boulevard about 7:45 Monday night. Police say, when the girl screamed, the suspect quickly exited the store. The girl’s mother notified store security, who notified police.

Fifteen minutes later, police responded to investigate a report of another, similar incident at the Target store at the Bayfair Center mall. Another young girl, also with her mother nearby, was approached by the same man, who inappropriately touched her, police said.

As in the Wal-Mart incident, police said the man quickly fled the Target store when confronted by the girl’s mother.

The surveillance images of the man were captured by a Target security video as he left the store, police said. Police were still reviewing parking lot surveillance footage on Wednesday to try and put together a description of the vehicle he was driving.

Witnesses described the man as being between 25 and 40 years old, a little over 6 feet tall, with a medium build and brown hair.

“Although these crimes occurred in San Leandro, this suspect could be in any Bay Area store or city,” San Leandro Police Lt. Robert McManus said.

Because the man was wearing a tie, police said they believe he might be employed at some type of business “where he has contact with customers, such as a restaurant, hotel or sales position.”

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the man seen in the surveillance images is urged to contact the San Leandro Police Department.

NBC Bay Area's Michelle Roberts contributed to this report.

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