Espoo man arrested – suspected of child sexual harassment in shopping centres
A man in his late thirties is suspected of exposing his genitals to children in Espoo. Police are asking victims to come forward.
Man detained on suspicion of child sexual harassment in Espoo
According to Ilta-Sanomat, a man in his late thirties is suspected of exposing his genitals to children in shopping centres and libraries in Espoo. The man was taken into custody over the weekend and remanded in custody earlier this week. Western Uusimaa Police suspect him of multiple counts of sexual abuse of a child.
"The man is suspected of seeking proximity to children and young people and exposing his genitals from his trousers whilst touching them in the presence of children," Western Uusimaa Police stated in a press release.
The suspected individual has been present in, among other locations, the toy department of Prisma in Sello shopping centre and the Sello XS-Lelu toy shop, as well as in Iso Omena shopping centre. Police have identified some of the victims but are now attempting to reach all children whom the man approached or in whose presence he touched his genitals.
Known incidents
An incident occurred in the toy department of Prisma in Sello shopping centre on 23 September 2026 at approximately 16:30–16:40. Present were three or four girls and boys estimated to be of primary school age and one adult woman who appeared to be accompanying some of the children.
An incident occurred in Iso Omena shopping centre on the evening of 25 September 2026. At that time, two blonde girls estimated to be of secondary school age were present. The suspected individual was also present in the Sello XS-Lelu shop between 23 and 25 September.
Police urge guardians to take action
The investigating officer, detective inspector Maria Hietajärvi, is asking guardians to discuss the incidents with their children.
"Children can be spoken to about whether anything happened in these situations that would be worth mentioning to adults, or whether any adult behaved oddly near them," Hietajärvi stated in a police press release.
The suspect is dark-skinned, bald, and has a black beard. At the times of the incidents, he was wearing a light blue shirt or a light, loose-fitting jumper, as well as a short, greenish quilted jacket.
Information should be submitted to the email address [email protected] or to the tip line 0295 438 488. A report of a crime can be made on the police website or at any police station.
Source: Ilta-Sanomat