Man Grabbed Girl, Tried To Pull Down Her Pants: Nassau PD

MERRICK, NY — Nassau County police asked the public's help to find a man who tried to pull down the pants of a young girl and exposed himself to her sister.

According to police, the two 9-year-old sisters came across the man at different times Monday night as they were riding their bicycles in Merrick between their home on Petit Avenue and their grandmother's house on Webster Street just around the block.

The first girl was riding to her grandmother's at 7:15 p.m. when she saw the man sitting on a bicycle on the corner of Petit Avenue and Webster Street. Police said he intentionally exposed himself to her. The girl turned around and went home to tell her parents.

About 2 minutes later, the second girl, who was riding home from her grandmother's house, saw the same man. Police said she tried to ride her bicycle past him and the man lunged at her. He grabbed her shoulders, stopped her and tried to pull down her pants, police said. The girl yelled and was able to get away and ride home to tell her parents, police said.

Police described the man as white, in his 20s and with brown hair. He was wearing a black shirt, red pants, black sneakers and had a paper mask over his mouth. His bicycle was black with a white stripe and possibly motorized. He was last seen heading west on Webster Street.

Police asked anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous, and you could receive a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.