2 Women At VA Mall Reportedly Groped By Man Who Faces Sexual Assault Charges

FAIR LAKES, VA — A 33-year-old Fairfax man has been charged with two counts of sexual battery and other crimes following reports of multiple women being groped near Fair Lakes, according to authorities.

Officers from the Fair Oaks police station responded around 5:04 p.m. on Wednesday to the 11700 block of Fair Oaks Mall for a sex offense case. Two victims told police that they had been approached and inappropriately touched by an unknown man, according to the incident report.

While officers searched the area for the suspect, Fairfax County Police received a call around 5:17 p.m. reporting a man masturbating in a car in the 13000 block of Fair Lakes Shopping Center, police say. When officers arrived, the suspect had already fled.

Police received a third report around 7:41 p.m. that a man had approached and assaulted a woman in a parking lot in the 12200 block of Fairfax Towne Centre, according to police.

Around 8:12 p.m., police located the suspect, identified as Gigssa Bekele Bengessa, at his residence and took him into custody following a brief struggle, authorities say.

Bekele Bengessa was charged with two counts of sexual battery, indecent exposure, obstruction of justice, and two counts of assault on law enforcement officers.

He was held without bond in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

On Thursday morning, Bekele Bengessa was arraigned in Fairfax County General District Court on all six charges, according to court records. He has a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 11.

The two assault on law enforcement officer charges are Class 6 felonies, which each carry potential sentences of up to five years in prison, or a reduced sentence of up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of $2,500.

The obstruction of justice, indecent exposure and two counts of sexual battery are all Class 1 misdemeanors. If convicted, Bekele Bengessa faces a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500 on each count.

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to contact the Fair Oaks District Station at 703-591-0966. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers.” Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.

Victim specialists from FCPD’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure that the victims are receiving appropriate resources and assistance

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