47°
The incident occurred in Hartford County in Manchester around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
According to Manchester Police Lt. Ryan Shea, a Dunkin' Donuts staff member called the police to report that a suspicious person was following a girl who came inside the store asking for help.
Officers located the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Israel Santiago-Ortiz of Manchester, near Center Street and New Street, Shea said.
Investigators determined the girl was followed by Santiago-Ortiz as she walked eastbound on Center Street from the area of Center Street and Cooper Street, Shea said.
Santiago-Ortiz began offering the juvenile gum and continued to follow her even after she crossed the street.
At one point, the suspect asked the juvenile if he could take her to buy clothes, and the victim went into the Dunkin' Donuts to get away from him and get help, he added.
Based on the investigation, Santiago-Ortiz was taken into custody and has been charged with breach of peace and risk of injury to a minor.
In addition to these charges, it was determined that Santiago-Ortiz also had two warrants for his arrest.
The warrants were served, and he was further charged with two counts of failure to appear.
He is currently being held on bonds totaling $31,000 and will appear in the Superior Court in Manchester on Thursday, Oct. 5.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
