Surveillance video catches juvenile groping women in Northwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Police believe a serial groper is on the loose. A young man is suspected of forcibly grabbing women in public places. Investigators said he attacked his latest victim at a grocery store in Northwest Fresno.

Police have surveillance video from a store camera and believe they have identified the young man who forcibly grabbed and pressed himself against a woman on Saturday. He is suspected of similar attacks on several other women.

A routine trip to the grocery store turned into a frightening and embarrassing experience for Shirrin Rawls.

"I went to the dog food aisle at WinCo," she said. "I was reaching up to pick out a dog bed and I had both arms, and this African American man runs by me, grabs me and then runs out the store."

Store surveillance cameras captured the incident and Shirin, 21, immediately reported the incident to the store manager. They contacted Fresno Police. Lt. Joe Gomez said detectives in the sex crimes unit believe he has victimized other women.

"They knew automatically who it was, who they believe it is," Gomez explained. "He has done several others in this area, the northwest area, Fig Garden loop area. He lives in this area."

Shirin came forward with this because she wants the attacker to be caught. Because she felt so violated and wants to keep him from victimizing other women.

"I was so embarrassed on top of being violated I was crying in the store I wanted to go home," she said.

Police said women need to report incidents like this because the perpetrator can become bolder and commit even more serious crimes.