Girl, 8, assaulted in St. Paul library restroom

Last update: August 14, 2008 - 5:32 AM

A trip to the library turned dangerous for an 8-year-old girl Wednesday.

The girl went to the restroom in the basement of the Riverview Branch Library on East George Street in St. Paul around 3:30 p.m. She told police that a man in his 20s followed her and started to grope her and put his hands down her pants, said police spokesman Peter Panos.

Police aren't certain why, but the man suddenly stopped the assault and fled out a downstairs door.

The library remained open Wednesday, but police locked down all the computers so they could determine if the suspect had used them. He was described as white, heavyset and about 5 feet 7 inches, wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans.

LORA PABST

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