Man Accused Of Following Girls, Touching Groin Area: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man is accused of following a group of girls Sunday in Petaluma and was found touching his groin area, police said.

The indecent incident started around 6:50 p.m. Sunday when officers were dispatched to a report of a man — later identified as Jade Jenkins Young, 30, of Petaluma — harassing female juveniles near the Balshaw Pedestrian Bridge, Petaluma police Lt. Garrett Glaviano said.

"As Young approached the victims, he made multiple comments [of a sexual nature] to females who were obvious juveniles," Glaviano said. "The victims immediately took off running toward East Washington Street as Young quickly followed behind them."

The girls reached East Washington and Baylis streets and called the police. They gave a description of Young and told dispatchers they last saw him trying to hide in some bushes in the parking lot of a business at 101 E. Washington St.

"It was reported Young was touching his groin area while concealed behind the bushes," Glaviano said.

It is alleged that when officers found Young at the location provided by the girls, he was still touching his groin area.

"Young was immediately detained in handcuffs," Glaviano said.

He was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony annoying a child younger than 18 and violation of probation.

Young remained in custody Monday at Sonoma County jail where his bail was set at $21,000.