Police: Man Charged for Endangering Farmingdale Teens
Arrest made after a second incident was reported near Farmingdale High School, police said.
Nassau County Police have arrested a man allegedly in connection with Monday's Lincoln Street park child endangerment situation, following the report of a second incident near Farmingdale High School.
According to Eighth Squad detectives, Carlos Sanchez, 28 of Massapequa, was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
On Monday, two teens reported that the defendant engaged them in conversation at a park on Lincoln Street before beginning to touch one of their feet and not letting go, police said. The male reportedly held on until she eventually was able to free herself and he exited in a tan colored four-door Toyota Camry that left eastbound on Lincoln Street, police said. No injuries were reported and the teens captured a cell phone photo of the male.
Police said that after seeing reports in the media a second incident was reported that occurred on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in which the defendant approached three Farmingdale teens under the age of 16 who were walking home from Farmingdale High School. They reported to police that he reached down and removed one of the teen's shoes, looked at it, put it back on her foot and asked them if they would like a foot massage before the teens walked away and the defendant drove off in his vehicle. No injuries were reported.
According to detectives, Sanchez was arrested after an investigation with assistance from Nassau County Crime Stoppers. He will be arraigned on Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.
Stephanie
10:16 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I'm glad this guy was caught. I'm more concerned that he was able to get close enough to physically touch them. I think we need t o re_educate our kids about things like this not just when a situation happens.
James M.
12:22 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Yeah I thought it was kind of weird that the girls allowed a stranger to get that close AND touch their feet. Did they think he was cute and harmless?
Dale from Farmingdale
1:41 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Apparently, yes...he's only 28 and not creepy-looking. In the 1st incident, he engaged them in innocent conversation...in a park, right? The 2nd incident he seemed bolder, not even bothering to chat first. But I don't think we can ever stop teenage girls from talking to "cute, harmless" guys...in a park for sure. It's not what the image/scenario their "stranger education" taught them. I just don't think we can teach them to literally never talk or respond to "young" men. That's a tall order. On the plus side, it does seem as if in both cases, the girls knew it was potentially harmful once the fetish became evident.
James M.
2:06 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
I agree partially. I just don't understand how you let a stranger get close enough to touch you, especially a teenager, especially a girl.
Dale from Farmingdale
1:44 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
More importantly, how is he kept from returning? What does a charge like this involve? Surely, not jail time...if convicted, (is there a trial? I doubt it) is he just forbidden to ever go near a school or park? How can he possibly (or others like him) really be punished...and stopped?
Dale from Farmingdale
3:15 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
James, I agree with you too...partially. My youngest is still at FHS, but I only have boys...not exactly the same parental angst. But I can tell you that teenagers are fearless and do not think stuff will happen to them, not to mention the rebelliousness. It's an age-appropriate behavior that is primarily why this stage of parenting is so difficult and so scary.
Stephanie
5:17 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
I agree with all of you its scary. This guy if no priors will probably get off w a warning to roam the streets again. I have two kids one will entering FHS the other in 2 years. These kids do think no harm will come to them both boys n girls. I just mtake sure no matter where my kids go the park..the schools..a hangout place of secret no matter where they are that they be weary of who approches them and should walk away or keep there guard up n never go anywhere alone. hopefullly talking till we are blue in the face n making them aware sinks in