Man Accused of Groping Women Inside Enfield Costco

ENFIELD, CT — A Hartford man with a lengthy criminal history was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a pair of women complained he had inappropriately grabbed them in a sexual manner inside the Costco store on Freshwater Boulevard.

Jarees Robinson, 36, is charged with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree breach of peace and interfering with an officer. He posted bonds totaling $25,000.

Around 1:30 p.m., police were called to Costco with a complaint that a man was sexually assaulting people in the store. A store security supervisor said a woman shopping with her husband had been approached by a man, later identified as Robinson, who told her, "You are very beautiful" and asked for her cell phone number. She told him to go away, but he followed her down an aisle and continued making explicit comments, then grabbed her buttocks, Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said.

A second woman working at a cell phone kiosk in the store told security Robinson had also approached her, stating twice, "Wanna make a baby together?" He asked for her number, then tried grabbing her buttocks but instead touching her upper leg, Sferrazza said.

Employees from neighboring Dick's Sporting Goods called police to report a man running through the parking lot. Robinson was discovered hiding beneath a pickup truck, and was taken into custody with some resistance, Sferrazza said.

According to judicial records, Robinson has seven prior convictions and has served several prison terms for offenses including public indecency, burglary, unlawful restraint and fourth-degree sexual assault.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Police Department