Police arrest 28-year-old man for grabbing girl walking home from school

DOWNEY -- A 28-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly grabbed the backside of a 14-year-old girl who was walking home from school.

The girl said she was walking in the area of Rives Avenue and Brunache Street at around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday when the man asked her name. She ignored him and kept walking, the girl told police.

The suspect allegedly grabbed the girl's buttocks and then ran southbound on Rives Avenue.

Based on the girl's description, police arrested a suspect, Sala Robert Pires. They found him at a residence on the 7800 block of Stewart & Gray Road.

The girl positively identified Pires, police said. Pires was booked for felony lewd acts on a child.

Police believe Pires may be responsible for similar incidents in Downey. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Michelle Garcia at (562) 904-2391.