ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said a 34-year-old man is in custody accused of snatching a 6-year-old boy off his bike and sexually assaulting him Sunday.
Police said Thursday afternoon the man was taken into custody following a request for the public's help identifying him.
St. Louis police thanked the public for their assistance, saying more than 100 tips helped investigators with identifying the suspect and getting him in custody.
According to a St. Louis police source, a 6-year-old boy was riding his bike just before 5 p.m. Sunday in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood when the suspect "lured" the boy into a vacant home in the 6200 block of Loran Avenue and sexually assaulted him.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the detective handling the case directly at 314-760-7360.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous and interested in a possible reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update this story as soon as information becomes available.
Child abuse resources:
- Call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873) if you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.
- If you suspect child abuse, call the Missouri Hotline number at 1-800-392-3738. The team is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- If you are hearing or speech impaired, call Relay Missouri at 1-800-735-2466 (voice) or 1-800-735-2966 (text). If you are mandated by law to report child abuse and neglect, you can make a report online here.
- To report a crime to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, visit their CyberTipline online.