HOWELL – A Howell resident has been arrested and charged with inappropriately touching a shopper at a local grocery store earlier this month, police said.
Ehab E. Nassif, 59, was charged with fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
An incident was first reported on February 13. A woman told police that an unknown man had been following her around the Lidl supermarket on Route 9 South. The suspect, later identified as Nassif, was described as wearing a black mask, gloves, a blue baseball hat, blue jacket, and jeans.
While the victim was shopping, Nassif continued to get closer to her by pretending to look at items on the shelf near her. The victim then reached for an item on the shelf when Nassif purposely rubbed his groin on her buttocks, police said.
The victim also reported seeing Nassif do the same thing to a second shopper, but when she reported what happened to supermarket workers Nassif had already fled the scene.
Police said that a concerned citizen, who had become aware of the incident through social media, reported another case allegedly involving Nassif. Someone matching his description was seen in Home Goods purposely reaching out his arm and hand so it would graze women’s buttocks.
After Nassif was identified as the suspect, Howell officers placed him under arrest at his home without incident. Police said multiple items of clothing matching the initial victim’s description of his appearance were recovered from the scene.
“This was another example of the partnership between this community and police department resolving another incident,” Police Chief Andrew A. Kudrick said. “The collaboration of observant residents, alert officers, a driven detective, and the Howell Happenings social media platform resulted in this arrest.”
Police are sharing photos of Nassif, as it is strongly believed that additional victims have yet to be identified.
If you or someone you know has any information regarding the defendant or his conduct, please contact Howell Police Detective Saltzman at nsaltzman@howellpolice.org or 732-938-4575, Ext. 2658.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
