Suspect, 14, arrested in multiple groping incidents at Bellingham park

BELLINGHAM -- A 14-year-old boy was arrested in connection with a series of groping attacks on a popular walking trail in a North Bellingham neighborhood.

Bellingham police said they arrested the boy at an apartment complex where he lives with a parent near Cordata Park, the scene of four to five groping incidents since August. The most recent incident was reported in late February.

The women told police the young man approached from behind, inappropriately touched them, and then ran off. Each victim provided police with a similar description of the suspect. Investigators say he is was between the height 5’2"-5’6" and between the ages of 14 and 20. He was also spotted running awkwardly, victims said.

The boy was arrested after one of the victims told police she believed she saw the boy getting out of a car near the apartment.

He was booked into Whatcom County Juvenile Detention for suspicion of four counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.