LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — A township man who works as a substitute teacher has been charged by state police with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl while she was shopping with her family Friday evening.
Jared Gerhard, 30, allegedly touched the girl between the legs while she was shopping at Marshall's store on the 3900 block of Hamilton Boulevard, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said in announcing the charges.
Police said the girl screamed, causing Gerhard to flee. A witness tried to detain Gerhard, but he broke away and fled the store, according to court documents.Lehigh County District Attorney's office release
The victim told authorities Gerhard approached her at the store and exposed his abdomen to her.
Frightened, she left and went find her mother, according to court documents.
While standing near her family a few minutes later, she felt someone touch her over her shorts, according to court documents.
She turned and found Gerhard hiding between two racks of clothing, according to court documents.
Police said the girl screamed, causing Gerhard to flee. A witness tried to detain Gerhard, but he broke away and fled the store, according to court documents.
Stopped outside parking lot
The witness told police that Gerhard was carrying clothing and a toy mushroom from the Super Mario video game franchise.
Police received a 911 call shortly after 5:30 p.m. and saw Gerhard speeding out of the parking, according to court documents.
When the officer stopped him on Mill Creek Road, he was sweating profusely and was wearing clothing that matched the suspect's description, according to police.
A mushroom toy was located in the front passenger area of the vehicle, and the witness identified Gerhard as the man who eluded him at the Marshall's.
Gerhard is charged with indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor. District Judge Michael Faulkner ordered Gerhard be held on $35,000 bail, which Gerhard posted Saturday.Lehigh County District Attorney's Office release
Gerhard is charged with indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor. District Judge Michael Faulkner ordered Gerhard be held on $35,000 bail, which Gerhard posted Saturday.
In a news release about the charges, Holihan identified Gerhard as a substitute teacher who had worked for multiple schools in Lehigh County. He declined to comment on what schools Gerhard had worked for.
