Update: Baltimore Police say they've taken Gregory Hightower into custody. He's currently at the hospital after complaining of pain, but will be taken to Central Booking following his discharge.
Original Story:
A girl was walking to school near the intersection of Tioga Parkway and Gwynns Falls Parkway when she says a man wearing a mask sexually assaulted, then robbed her. Police say the same man was responsible for another sexual assault in the Mondawmin neighborhood. That victim was also a minor.
Baltimore Police released sketches of the man last week. Today they announced he's been identified as 70 year-old Gregory Hightower. Now, they just need to find him.The first incident happened on January 3rd in the 2300 block of Gwynns Falls Parkway near N. Pulaski Street.
The more recent incident happened on March 8. Officers were called to the 3000 block of Tioga Parkway. When police arrived, they were met by a female student from ConneXions Charter School who said she was approached by a man wearing all-black clothing and a mask. The victim says the man pulled out a gun, told her to lift her shirt, and groped her. He also told her to pull down her pants. Police say the suspect took the girl’s backpack and $24 before running away in an unknown direction.
WMAR-2 News spoke to parents who were at ConneXions to pick up their kids from school. They say their keeping their eyes open, and telling their kids to do the same.
"I talked to my daughter about it. I did send her the mugshot and I told her to forward it around to her friends. I told her to make sure she's aware of her surroundings. I told her to make sure she sends it to all her friends that do catch public transportation. A few of her friends - if they see me, they'll jump in my van and I'll drop them off to the local subway," Alicia Charmaine said.
"That's really crazy. I know they do have a lot of police, security presence around here especially in the mornings, so they're doing their part, as much as they can," Tiana Miles said.
Parents say the school sent out an email last week notifying them about the assault. There are multiple schools in the area where the two incidents happened.
"It is scary. It's alarming. I feel like the children should walk in groups and should walk with somebody at all times, and just be present because everybody's down on their phones all the time," Charmaine said.
Police say Hightower is about 5'11 and 184 lbs. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hightower is urged to call 911.
