Man arrested for luring girl into pickup truck and sexually assaulting her

WATERBURY, CT (WFSB) – A man has been arrested on charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a young girl in Waterbury.

Waterbury police identified the suspect as Michael Dewitt of Seymour.

On Oct. 9 around 7 p.m., officers said they responded to a report of a kidnapping and sexual assault involving a minor in the area of ​​438 Cooke St., near Fulton Park.

“Investigators determined that earlier in the evening the female victim was lured into a pickup truck driven by a male suspect, later identified as Michael Dewitt,” said Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department. “Dewitt kidnapped and sexually assaulted the victim.”

According to police, the victim was able to escape from the truck just before Fulton Park and asked people near the scene for help.

“Fortunately, the victim was not injured in the incident,” Bessette said.

Through investigative efforts, police said they gained information indicating Dewitt was in the New Haven area and contacted New Haven police.

Dewitt was also wanted by New Haven police for a previous sexual assault investigation involving a minor, Waterbury police said. An arrest warrant was recently issued for this case.

On October 11, Dewitt’s pickup truck was found in a hotel parking lot in West Haven and officers took Dewitt into custody. He was being held by New Haven police on charges pending a court appearance in New Haven on Tuesday.

In addition to these charges, Dewitt was expected to face additional charges from Waterbury police on an active warrant.

The charges included unlawful sexual contact with a minor under 13 years of age, fourth-degree sexual assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful holding of hostages, using a minor to perform an obscene performance, aggravated sexual assault of a minor and risk of injury to a minor.

Anyone with further information about the suspect was asked to contact the Waterbury Crime Stoppers at 203-574-6941 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 203-755-1234.

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