A Duncansville man tried to reach beneath a bathroom stall to touch a woman, Allegheny Township police allege.
Tavonte T. Tate, 20, a Philadelphia native who listed his address as Adelphoi Village on Municipal Drive in Duncansville, remains in Blair County Prison after his arrest Friday at Target, 153 Sierra Drive.
A woman at the store said she was using the toilet in the women's restroom at about 4:45 p.m. Friday when she looked to her left and saw a man's face looking under the divider separating her stall from the adjacent stall, police said.
The man's shoulder and arm were also visible as the man reached to touch her bottom, the woman told police.
Police said the woman yelled, "Hey," then walked out of the stall and began washing her hands.
She told officers as she washed her hands, the man, later identified as Tate, walked out of the stall and exited the restroom.
After police arrived, Tate, who was being tracked in the store by employees, was taken into custody, records show.
Tate initially told police he used the women's bathroom because the men's room was full, and he had fallen off the toilet.
After Tate was taken to the Allegheny Township police station, he told officers he intentionally entered the women's bathroom, looked under the stall and tried to touch the woman, police said. Tate said he has a problem and wants to seek help, police added.
Officers charged Tate with felony attempted indecent assault because Tate has two prior charges for the crime, although details of those incidents were not given. Tate is also charged with harassment and disorderly conduct.
Magisterial District Judge Todd F. Kelly set bail for Tate at $5,000 cash. Tate is due to appear before Magisterial District Judge Steven D. Jackson on Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
