Video: Police Seek Men Who Helped Boy Allegedly Groped At Donut Shop

GLENDALE, CA — Police in Glendale are asking two witnesses who intervened when they saw a man allegedly grope a child at a doughnut shop counter to come forward as witnesses in the case.

Detectives believe the bystanders could serve as key witnesses in the sexual assault case against 36-year-old Farid Lalezarzadeh of Glendale. Authorities released video of the incident which occurred on the morning of Aug. 31 in a doughnut shop in the 600 block of West Glenoaks Boulevard.

"A mother and her sons were at the location getting breakfast," police said in a statement. "A male suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Farid Lalezarzadeh of Glendale, was also inside the location.

"While the family was paying for their breakfast at the counter, Lalezarzadeh walked behind the victim and pinched him on the buttocks," the police statement continued. "A male witness saw the incident and immediately stepped in to protect the child. The witness and his friend confronted the suspect, who immediately left the location. Police were then contacted."

Days later, police arrested Lalezarzadeh on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old, police said. He was released that day on $100,000 bond, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Now, Glendale detectives are looking for the two people who intervened to help the 13-year-old boy.

Police released video of the incident, but it was taken from the vantage point of the counter in front of the family. It appears to show the child react to contact from a man who approached from behind and reached for a hand sanitizer on the wall next to the child. The boy's mother didn't notice the contact, but a man sitting at a table behind the family quickly jumps up and separates the boy from the stranger.

"Glendale police have been unable to locate the witnesses that intervened that day," police said. "We are looking for the two males that stepped in to protect the child. Their witness statements are crucial to the successful prosecution of the suspect."

Police urged the two witnesses, or anyone else with information on the case, to call 818-548-4911. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-TIPS, or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service contributed to this report.