Update 4:50 p.m. Billings police said they’ve located and identified the man suspected of grabbing children in public places.
He was identified as a 73-year-old Billings resident, and police have made no arrests but continue to investigate, according to a tweet from the department.
***LOCATED***
The subject has been located & identified as a 73 year old Billings resident. Detectives are investigating. No arrests at this time. No threat to public safety at this time. – LT Wooley https://t.co/HaBLEZ56Ia— BillingsPD (@BillingsPD) May 1, 2019
BILLINGS – The Billings Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man accused of trying to grab children in public places.
In a press release, BPD said the man was involved in a series of suspicious incidents involving children.
Around 7:30 p.m. on April 18 it was reported that an elderly man grabbed a 4-year-old’s hand and tried to walk away. The young child’s older sibling, who is 11, intervened and the man then reportedly ran away.
The next day, a man matching the same description approached a 5-year-old at Optimist Park and asked the child to go on a jog with him. The child refused, and the man then ran around the park several times before leaving.
On April 20, the man was once again spotted at Optimist Park. According to the release, the man grabbed a young child and tried to walk away. The child’s mother stopped the man and he reportedly apologized to her, claiming he believed the child to be his grand-kid.
The department describes the man as an elderly white male, likely in his 60’s. He has short grey hair, is about 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. The man was seen driving a black Chevy Silverado from between 1996-2002. The vehicle had an extended cab with chrome side rails on the bed and chrome trim on the handles.
Investigators are unsure if the man has criminal intent, or is suffering from Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or some type of mental illness.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Billings Police Department at (406) 657-8473.
***ALERT – Public Safety Concern***The Billings Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying…
Posted by Billings Police Department on Wednesday, May 1, 2019
