A La Quinta teen was arrested Thursday and accused of multiple counts of groping females from his bicycle in the Palm Desert area, a sheriff's lieutenant said Friday.
The 17-year-old male's name was not released because of his age. He was arrested on suspicious of "numerous counts of sexual battery" and booked at Riverside County Juvenile Hall in Indio, Lt. David Teets of the sheriff's Palm Desert Station said in a statement.
Between Dec. 14, 2013 and Dec. 23, 3013, Palm Desert deputies investigated seven sexual batteries reported in shopping centers at Washington Street and Country Club Drive, and Washington Street and Hovely Lane, Teets said.
"The reports indicated a lone male on a bicycle had been groping females as they walked near the shopping centers," Teets said.
Special Enforcement Team deputies on Dec. 26 "contacted a male matching the description of the suspect as he rode a bicycle near the shopping center" at Washington and Hovely, Teets said. He remained in custody Friday at Juvenile in Indio.
Anyone with more info was urged to call Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team deputies at (760) 836-1600. Info can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).
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