Police: 34-Year-Old Tasheem Keaton Wanted In Attempted Sexual Assault Of 61-Year-Old Woman In Evesham Township
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- Police in Evesham Township are searching for the man wanted in the attempted sexual assault of a 61-year-old woman. Tasheem Keaton, 34, of Marlton, New Jersey, has been charged with criminal sexual contact, simple assault, terroristic threats and criminal mischief in an incident that occurred on Nov. 8.
Evesham Township police believe there may be more than one victim, so officers are urging people to be on the lookout.
"It's scary," one person said.
"To know that the man lives here and would attack somebody in his own development, is pretty scary and I have two littles," said Jennifer Sokoloff.
Police say a woman was taking her daily walk in the Marlton Village neighborhood on Sunday around 5:30 p.m. when an unknown Black man began a conversation with her.
The man reportedly referred to himself as "T."
He asked the woman if she was single and then began to compliment her, which started to make her uncomfortable about the interaction. She tried to end the conversation and walk away when he hugged her and grabbed her from behind.
She then tried to get away and the man attacked her, took her to the ground and placed his hand over her mouth, stating he was going to kill her.
The woman was able to fight the man off and flee the area. She suffered minor injuries from the attack.
"Why hurt innocent people? That lady didn't do anything to you," Kristen Ross said.
"You really have to be aware of your surroundings because you never know what's going to happen unfortunately," one woman said.
Keaton was later identified as the suspect and his whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Records show Keaton is a registered sex offender for previously sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Camden County.
"If you already been convicted of a crime, why would you do that again? Why would you do that in your own neighborhood?" Sokoloff said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tasheem Keaton should contact the Evesham Police Department at 856-983-1116.
CBS3's Matt Petrillo contributed to this report.
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