Man arrested for sexual assault on child in Espoo shopping centres
West Uusimaa police suspect a nearly 40-year-old man of sexually assaulting a child in several Espoo shopping centres. The man has been remanded in custody, and police are seeking additional victims.
Suspected offender exposed genitals to children in Espoo shopping centres
According to Kirkkonummensanomat.fi, West Uusimaa police have launched a preliminary investigation into a case in which a man in his late thirties is suspected of exposing his genitals to children in Espoo. The identities of all victims who were subjected to the suspected offences are not yet known to police.
According to police, the offences occurred particularly in Espoo shopping centres and library spaces. The man is suspected of seeking proximity to children and young people and exposing his genitals from his trousers while touching himself in front of children.
The man was arrested over the weekend and remanded in custody by decision of West Uusimaa District Court in early in the week.
Police have already identified several children, who are complainants in the case. Police are now attempting to establish the identities of all other children whom the man approached or in front of whom he touched his genitals.
Police are particularly interested in the following situations:
- Sello shopping centre Prisma, toy department 23 September 2026, 16.30–16.40 — present were three or four girls and boys estimated to be primary school age, and an adult woman.
- Iso Omena shopping centre evening of 25 September 2026 — present were two fair-haired girls estimated to be secondary school age.
- Sello shopping centre XS-Lelu store during the period 23–25 September 2026.
The man suspected of the offence is dark-skinned and bald, with a black beard. During the incidents, the man was wearing a light-coloured shirt or a light, loose-fitting jumper, and a short, light green quilted jacket. Police have surveillance camera recordings of the incidents.
The investigating officer, Criminal Inspector Maria Hietajärvi, asks guardians to speak with their own child at home if the children were in the mentioned locations at the specified times.
Information relating to the case can be submitted to the e-mail address [email protected] or the tip line 0295 438 488.
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)