TEMPE, AZ — A man was arrested after allegedly groping a teenage girl at a light rail platform in Tempe.
Tempe police report that on November 19, a man later identified as 47-year-old John David Eddy, grabbed a 17-year-old below the waist over her yoga pants as he passed by the teen on the platform.
Police say surveillance video showed Eddy rolling his wheelchair in front of the girl four times with about a three-foot gap between him and the girl. The fifth time he went by, he reached out and groped the girl, according to police.
Footage showed Eddy continuing to roll past the teen, and leaving the light rail platform near 5th Street and Mill Avenue.
A picture of Eddy taken from the surveillance video was given to officers, several of whom identified the suspect as Eddy. He was located and arrested by police on December 6.
Upon his arrest, Eddy allegedly mocked officers by saying, "he would be released from prison with his good behavior within a year because he had done this before."
Court records show that in the last eight years, Eddy has been convicted on multiple sexual-related charges, including indecent exposure, voyeurism, and surreptitious recording.
He is now being held without bond for sexual abuse.