Crime & Safety
Crossing Guard Forcibly Touched 15-Year-Old Girl: PD
The 78-year-old, who was assigned to a local elementary school, allegedly forcibly touched the teen who was picking up a sibling, cops say.
LINDENHURST, NY - A 78-year-old crossing guard was charged on Wednesday with forcibly touching a 15-year-old girl in Lindenhurst earlier this month, according to Suffolk Police.
Philip Bonaventura, a crossing guard assigned to the Alleghany Avenue Elementary School, met the teen who was walking to pick up a younger sibling, police said.
Bonaventura, of Lindenhurst, was stationed at the intersection of East Hoffman Avenue and South Delaware Avenue when he allegedly escorted the girl to a nearby building and forcibly touched her two weeks ago, police said.
Find out what's happening in Lindenhurstfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
He has been a crossing guard with the Suffolk County Police Department for the past 12 years.
He was arrested Wednesday night and charged with forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.
Find out what's happening in Lindenhurstfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Bonaventura was released on a field appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.
In addition Lindenhurst superintendent Dan Giordano announced on Thursday that Bonaventura was "removed from the district."
Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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