SLP Man Charged with Inappropriately Grabbing Women

A St. Louis Park man has been charged with making unwanted sexual advances to two women in downtown Minneapolis, allegedly grabbing one in the crotch and the other’s breasts.

Karanfil Alshev Kurtef, 41, is charged with two counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, gross misdemeanors with maximum sentences of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Kurtef was released from Hennepin County custody and made a first appearance on the charges July 5 in Hennepin County District Court.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Minneapolis Police Sgt. Melissa Banham, police were called to 17 7th St. N. just after noon on July 1 on a report of inappropriate sexual behavior by a man wearing a chef’s jacket and smoking a cigarette.

Police spoke to the victim, who pointed out the suspect and said he had approached her and grabbed her crotch.

As officers spoke to the victim, they were approached by witnesses who said they had seen the same man—later identified as Kurtef—grabbing another woman’s breasts near the intersection of 9th Street and Nicollet Mall.

The second victim told police that Kurtef jogged up to her, grabbed her breasts and twisted her body. When she screamed, he let go and ran away, she said. That assault was captured on surveillance video, police said.