Man Charged for Groping 9-Year-Old Girl, Her Mom on the Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A man is facing felony charges after trying to grope a 9-year-old girl and her mother on the Upper East Side.

Paul Gandall, 55, was arrested Monday night around 8:10 p.m. when he tried to touch a 9-year-old between the legs on Third Avenue and E. 83rd St., police told Patch. Gandall also attempted to grope the girl's mother when she tried to protect her daughter.

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After being arrested Gandall told detectives, "I like to touch women. That’s the way I let them know I like women.”

Police connected Gandall to another sexual assault on March 11 that took place on the platform of the 42nd St. and Eighth Avenue subway station. During that incident Gandall grabbed a woman and tried to touch her between the legs, police said.

Gandall was charged Tuesday with four sex crimes, one a felony, according to court documents. He was also charged with misdemeanor forcible touching for the March 11 incident during the same appearance.

Gandall is being held on $75,000 bail, according to court documents.