Suspect surrenders in groping of girl, 12, in Tacony section of Philadelphia

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Thursday, November 29, 2018
Suspect surrenders in groping of girl, 12, in Tacony
Suspect surrenders in groping of girl, 12, in Tacony. Bob Brooks reports during Action News at 5 p.m. on November 29, 2018.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The suspect being sought for the groping of a 12-year-old girl in the Tacony section of Philadelphia has surrendered to police.[br /][br /]29-year-old Joshua Pereirra-Lopez from the 4500 block of Higbee Street turned himself in around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday. He is charged with Indecent Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Simple Assault.[br /][Ads /][br /][media ID="4789730" /][br /]The incident happened just before 8 a.m. Wednesday in the 4600 block of Longshore Avenue, about one mile from Pereirra-Lopez's home.[br /][br /]The young girl was walking to Keystone Academy Charter School when she was attacked from behind, according to sources.[br /][br /][media ID="4783762" /][br /][br /]Surveillance video depicts a girl talking on the phone. She is followed by a man who grabs her from behind, under her school uniform.[br /][br /]She turns back to yell at the man who stops. The young girl then runs away.[br /][Ads /][br /]It is this video evidence that helped detectives in the Special Victim's Unit identify the suspect, who drove from the scene in a dark-colored sedan.[br /][br /]Hours later, police towed the car from the 4500 block of Higbee Street.[br /][br /]At a news conference Thursday, Philadelphia police Captain Sekou Kinebrew told us the ongoing investigation has revealed even worse details.[br /][br /]"We later learned that during that time he threatened to kill her. Which is why the video depicts her turning around and running the other way," said Captain Kinebrew.[br /][br /]Kinebrew says more surveillance cameras captured Pereirra-Lopez fleeing the scene.[br /][br /]"During the course of the investigation they were able to recover other video that would track the person's movements," he said.[br /][Ads /][br /]Though he's been captured, we met parents and guardians who chose to walk their child to Keystone Academy Thursday morning.[br /][br /]Aida Diaz of Tacony said, "We're not safe anymore, anywhere."[br /][br /]Some parents say they want a swift and servere punishment.[br /][br /]"In a jail cell forever, jail ain't no joke but he need to do some jail time." said Shakira Andrews of Tacony.[br /][br /]""]Learn More About 6abc Apps[/url][/b]