Published: August 03, 2007 09:16 am      

Local man charged with sexual assault

Man grabbed two women in sexual manner

A Somerset man has been charged with sexual assault and robbery after he grabbed at least two women in two different locations in town.

Brandon Bobbitt, 23, of South Central Avenue, was arrested yesterday afternoon following an investigation by the Somerset Police Department.

Police believe Bobbitt is the suspect in incidents which occurred on June 16 and July 28.

On June 16, a female told police she had been followed through a Somerset grocery store by a black male, and that, when she left the store and attempted to get into her car, the man grabbed her in a sexual manner.

The female victim in that incident identified Bobbitt in a mug shot line-up, said SPD Detective Shannon Smith.

On July 28, Bobbitt allegedly grabbed a female in a sexual manner in downtown Somerset. Police say Bobbitt asked the woman for her shoes and pants, and stole her cell phone before she was able to call police for help.

The June 16 incident occurred around 11:40 a.m., and the July 28 incident was at 2 a.m.

Bobbitt was arrested on a warrant after police determined he was involved in both incidents. He was charged with 3rd degree sexual abuse and 2nd degree robbery, and was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center. A jail spokesperson said Bobbitt was being held on a $15,000 cash bond for the sexual assault charges and a $7,500, ten percent bond for the robbery charge.

Detective Smith said police believe Bobbitt could be a suspect in at least one other similar incident.

Smith reminds females to park or walk in well-lit areas at night, to carry a cell phone if possible, and to report suspicious activity to the police.