Crime & Safety
Wanted Melrose Man Flees Country, Police Issue Warrant
Olexandr Kushnarenko, who police said has an intellectual disability, is wanted on felony charges of indecently assaulting girls and women.
MELROSE, MA — Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Melrose man who has allegedly fled the country before being arraigned on charges of indecent assault on women and girls. Olexandr Kushnarenko, 48, is now a wanted fugitive and will be subject to arrest if he attempts to re-enter the United States.
A Starbucks manager last week called police to report the Kushnarenko, who police were searching for after multiple reports of him acting inappropriately at a grocery store. He allegedly made a habit of dropping coins near multiple females and rubbing his forehead against their legs and thighs.
Police determined Kushnarenko suffered from an intellectual disability and was unable to communicate with police or a translator. He was placed him in protective custody and released into a relative's custody. Police sought a criminal complaint.
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Kushnarenko's arrest warrant specifies felony charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 (three counts) and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over (one count.)
Kushnarenko was seen on surveillance footage at Logan Airport boarding a flight out of the country, police said. He was scheduled to be arranged Thursday at Malden District Court.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Melrose Police reached out to each victim in this case to inform them of Kushnarenko's departure.
Photo by Mike Carraggi, Patch
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