11-Year-Old Girl's Alleged Attacker Found

A Bethlehem man accused of grabbing an 11-year-old girl from behind as she walked to Donegan Elementary School on Friday morning was found and arrested today, city police said.

Ricardo Chery, 28, of 1105 E. Fourth St., was picked up at his home without incident, police said. While at his home, police said, they recovered clothing that the victim had described.

The 11-year-old victim told police that a dark-skinned man followed her and crossed the street behind her when she did, ultimately grabbing her from behind. He held her and had "physical contact" with her until she elbowed the man and ran away to the nearby Nieves Market where she was able to call police.

The police Street Crimes Unit worked on the case, gathering information from neighbors, city video surveillance cameras and business video cameras, police said. 

Chery is being charged with two counts of indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct.