Police ID person of interest in groping incident at Opechee Point

LACONIA — Police have spoken to a person of interest involved in the incident where a man allegedly groped a teenage girl at Opechee Point last month. No charges have been filed so far, and Chief Matt Canfield says there is no threat to the public.

“We have developed a person of interest, but don’t have enough to make an arrest,” Canfield said, adding police have interviewed this person.

Police received a report on Jan. 15, of a man who walked up to a 13-year-old girl, engaged in a conversation, and then proceeded to “touch her inappropriately” and “grope” her, before fleeing the area. The incident took place near the baseball fields at Opechee Point.

In the days following the incident, Canfield said police asked homeowners and businesses with surveillance video to check recordings from the afternoon of Jan. 15. The suspect was described as a white male in his 20s or 30s, with brown scraggly hair and a beard. He was seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, and black vest.

Police received “a number of tips” through Tip 411, and were working to pursue leads. Canfield could not confirm how many people police had spoken with.

“I can’t comment, because it is an open investigation,” Canfield said on Wednesday.

Canfield said there have been no other reported incidents since.

Canfield urges parents to speak with their children about safety, and also encourages children to use the buddy system when they are out.

Anyone with information should contact Laconia Police at 603-524-5252, or make an anonymous tip at 603-527-1717. Tips can be texted to 847411 (tip411) with the keyword “Laconia”, followed by the message.