A Sudbury mother is likely breathing a sigh of relief today after a 26-year-old Sudbury man was arrested last night and charged with criminal harassment and committing an indecent act.
On Thursday at 2 p.m., Greater Sudbury Police were called to an elementary school in the city after a man tried to drop off a lunch to a 13-year-old student. The man claimed to be a friend of the boy’s mother.
Turns out, from what police were told, that was a lie.
The situation seemed odd to the school, GSPS told Sudbury.com, so before allowing the man to enter the building, the boy was questioned about him. The child’s mother was then called.
She told the school the man had been following her son and making contact with him for about a month, despite her warnings and warnings by neighbours that the man needed to leave the child alone.
The school immediately called police, who attended the school.
During the investigation, it was revealed the man had allegedly committed an indecent act in the boy’s presence a month ago. Police are not releasing information about the nature of that indecent act.
Detectives and officers with the tactical unit arrested the man at his home at 8:40 p.m. last night.
The case became more concerning when detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division began poking into the man’s online activities.
They learned he had recently posted an ad on Kijiji offering babysitting services.
Investigators would like to speak to anyone who saw the ad or contacted the man about it. They would also like to speak with anyone who has additional information about this case.
Facing one count of criminal harassment and one count of committing an indecent act is 26-year-old Joshua Grossauer of Sudbury. He was to appear in bail court this morning.
Anyone with information can contact police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit tips online at SudburyCrimeStoppers.com or by texting TIPSUD and the information to CRIMES (274637).
