Transient Arrested After Harassing 12-Year-Old Girl: Harrison PD

HARRISON, NY — Neighbors intervened to help escort a pre-teen girl home after it became clear she was in a vulnerable position. Police are crediting them with helping to keep the girl safe.

On Friday, at about 1:40 in the afternoon, two concerned neighbors called police about a suspicious man harassing a young girl.

The two Harrison residents were driving on Gainsborg Avenue when they saw a 12-year-old girl talking to a 38-year-old man on a sidewalk near the intersection of Gainsborg Avenue and Hancock Street. The good Samaritans said that the girl looked "petrified," prompting them to intervene. After realizing that the girl was not okay, the neighbors escorted the girl to her friend’s house nearby while they called police as the man walked away.

Police soon spotted the man, later identified as Augustus A. Balsamo, a few blocks away. He told police that he did approach the girl, asked if she was ok and if she knew where she was, according to officers. He also explained to police that he was homeless and walking towards Kingston.

Investigating officers determined that Balsamo's statements were not substantiated and he was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

"We are grateful for the vigilance, quick actions and notification to police by the residents, quick response by patrol, and the apprehension of Balsamo," HPD officials said in a statement.

Balsamo was arraigned in Harrison Town Court and released without bail later that evening.