Safeway Store Groper Charged With Sex Offenses: Police

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WHEATON, MD — Multiple attempted rape charges have been filed against a Wheaton man accused of groping and assaulting women – and in one case trying to push a woman into a vehicle – at the Wheaton Safeway store.

Montgomery County Police have arrested William Brown Jr., 21, of Ferrara Drive in Wheaton on sexual offenses against three victims. But, investigators believe there could be other victims and urges anyone with information to call authorities.

The three incidents and the criminal charges associated with each case are as follows:

Feb. 4 incident:

About 9 a.m. the 33-year-old victim was using the self-checkout at the Wheaton Safeway store, 11201 Georgia Ave., when Brown touched the victim inappropriately. When she resisted, Brown fled from the area.

In this case he was charged with fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault.

Feb. 5 incident:

The following morning, a 30-year-old victim was placing her groceries in her vehicle, which was parked in the garage under the Wheaton Safeway .when Brown reportedly touched her inappropriately. Police say Brown touched and grabbed the woman, then tried to push her inside the vehicle.

The victim struggled and fell to the ground. Brown fled from the area when someone entered the parking area. Police say the victim suffered a broken finger in the attack.

Charges filed for this attack are attempted second-degree rape, fourth-degree sex offense, and second-degree assault.

Feb. 10 incident:

Police say the 22-year-old victim was walking on the sidewalk near the Mid-County Regional Services center, 2424 Reedie Drive, that morning. Brown allegedly approached her from behind, touched her inappropriately, and attempted to pull down her pants.

The woman was able to break free from Brown and he fled the area.

Charges filed in this attack: attempted second-degree rape, fourth-degree sex offense, and second-degree assault.

The victims provided detectives with a physical description of the suspect, which turned up Brown on video surveillance in the areas at the times of the assaults.

Officers saw a man matching the suspect’s description enter the Safeway store Feb. 11; he was detained by officers and was identified as Brown.

Brown reportedly admitted to investigators that he was the person in the store surveillance video and said he “bumped” into a woman in the garage on Feb. 5.

Brown is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Detectives believe that there may be additional victims of Brown’s criminal conduct who have not reported the incidents to police.

Anyone with information regarding a sexual offense involving Brown is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police-Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5050.

»Photo of suspect William Brown Jr. of Wheaton, courtesy of Montgomery County Police