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Posted on Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.

Man arrested after bicyclist said he groped him in downtown Ann Arbor

By Lee Higgins

A man is accused of groping a man who was on a bicycle early Thursday morning near the intersection of 4th Avenue and East Ann Street, Ann Arbor police said.

Hugo Gallardo Petatan, 23, who investigators say recently moved to the Ypsilanti area, was arraigned this afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail on charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving force or coercion and aggravated indecent exposure.

Det. Sgt. Brian Jatczak said Petatan yelled at a 26-year-old Ann Arbor man who was riding a bicycle and flagged him down about 2:40 a.m. Thursday, asking where he could find a bus stop.

Jatczak said Petatan grabbed the man's groin area and then exposed himself.

Officers heard the victim yelling and arrested Petatan. Jatczak said Petatan had been drinking. According to court records, Petatan is originally from Concord, NC. Jatczak said Petatan moved to the Ypsilanti area in early September.

Petatan is being held on a $20,000 cash or surety bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Comments

pluto77

Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.

In any other town the headline would read: Unidentified man found beaten to death with bike chain.

Hmm

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.

Yeah if some guy thinks he's just gonna grope me and not get punched in his mouth he has another thing coming!

Goodphotographer

Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 2:34 a.m.

Well it would seem that jail is just what thei Suspect wants...I mean needs.

UlyssesSwrong

Sun, Oct 9, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.

Lots of groping going on around Ann Arbor lately, time to wear a cup and butt armor for us guys.

Animal Lover

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.

What? I can see someone exposing themself while you're riding a bicycle, but how does someone grab your crotch if you're on a moving bicycle? He must have quick hands to do that.

Hmm

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.

The article said he flagged the guy down and got him to stop by pretending to need directions.

TinyArtist

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.

This guy could use a psychiatric intervention. I recommend grope therapy.

Jimmy McNulty

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.

I believe Antoine Dodson said it best a few years back. Hide your husbands. <a href="http://youtu.be/SBBe0X813z4" rel='nofollow'>http://youtu.be/SBBe0X813z4</a>

walker101

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.

It's 2:40 AM, what would you expect, I guess riding around town at that time of day is better than 2:40PM? Maybe he wanted to use his air pump.

Tru2Blu76

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 4:03 a.m.

Funny, I was talking with an old hunting buddy a few months ago about being assaulted while riding a bicycle. That conversation included the fact that I carry my (licensed) handgun ALL the time. I then went on to speculate on the possibility of starting gun training classes for cyclists who are legally armed like I am. With this story: that idea seems all the more plausible and needed. My viewpoint is that this victim must have felt real fear during this assault. He was alone and was confronted by an apparently violent man who - for any reason - might have injured or killed his intended victim. The rule is: if you can't retreat safely, then you are justified in using force on force, regardless if the assailant is actually armed. (Since in most cases, the victim has no way of determining that.)

7718

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.

Those nascar boys in Concord would have carried out their own justice on this freak.

tim

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.

Wonder if this guy has any connection to the assaults on women? Just a thought he was out in the middle of the night molesting people.

Ron Granger

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.

Great takedown, AAPD! Was there any spandex involved in this crime? Who knew you should wear a cup when biking after midnight.

nickcarraweigh

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.

At first, they laughed when he sat down at the piano.

USRepublic

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.

Is this what local news reporting has become in AA? Is this the best our &quot;Journalists&quot; can offer? Ann Arbor is going Coleman Young and this is the best you have to offer? Get a job at NYT.... Or get a life!!!!

Ricebrnr

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.

Wow I know Ann Arborites take social equality seriously but dang!

USRepublic

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.

Don't hit up Pet-A-Tan..... When naked bicycle riding at 2:30 am!!!!

USRepublic

Sat, Oct 8, 2011 : 12:09 a.m.

Lovely.......

nonyo

Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.

I am so proud right now. Thank goodness this is the best part of the state. No, we don't need to help people with mental issues, no we don't need to have universal health care. Maybe fpr profit prisons is the alternative. If you believe that, heaven help us.

Bill Wilson

Fri, Oct 7, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.

Good police work grabbing this guy. Who says the police are never around when you need them.