Update:
WCCB-TV Charlotte --
Fox Charlotte has learned new information about the man accused of exposing himself to children at Carowinds. Police say their investigation could be compromised because of how long it took them to contact them.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police now know the name and address of the man accused of the lewd act. As soon as they finish gathering witness statements, he could face numerous charges. But they say the way the situation was handled, could hinder the investigation.
On Monday Kristian Glover was still shaken up over what she saw at Carowinds' water park Sunday. "We saw a man, you know, stroking his privates in the kiddie pool part," she said. Glover, Todd Rikard, and two other adult witnesses told Fox Charlotte the man had a little girl on his lap and was staring at 3 other little girls who saw the whole thing.
Carowinds released a statement saying a 19 year old girl accused another male of inappropriate behavior in the waterpark.
"We immediately started working in the area to gather information and statements from independent statements in the area," said spokesman John Taylor. "As of this current time we have not been able to confirm the allegations that have been made."
When we brought up the 4 witnesses who told us of the incident, Taylor said, "Outside of the female's party we have not been able to independently confirm with any other independent witnesses in the area to confirm the accusations that were made."
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police who are now handlilng the situation said all witnesses count. "You don't discount their statements," said Officer Robert Fey. "What you do is when the officer arrives separate the witnesses, get statements from all and see what matches. If everything matches there's a good chance they're not making anything up."
But police didn't get the chance until Todd Rikard's fist came into play. An hour and a half after seeing the lewd act Rikard saw the man trying to leave through the main gate. He got into a scuffle and knocked the man out. That's when Carowinds called the York County Sheriff's Department.
Taylor said at 3 a.m. they determined the incident actually happened in the Mecklenburg County area of Carowinds. So nearly 12 hours after the incident, that's when CMPD was notified.
"We should have been called right away," Officer Fey said. "Regardless of where it happens inside the park the people at Carowinds should know the jurisdiction of what law enforcement agency to contact. It would have been nice to interview the child and anyone else who was there. Right now we're not sure we have the ability to interview other people there. Because they may have just picked up their stuff and left. Obviously it's going to jeopardize the investigation."
Glover is plans to give her statement to police on Tuesday. "That does make me feel a lot better to know somebody's stepping up and doing something now," she said. "But the fact that the whole day at Carowinds there's no telling how many other girls saw what he was doing."
Once police finish gathering statements they will take the case to the district attorney's office. The will seek charges of indecent exposure and public masturbation. Police are also looking for more witnesses. If you saw anything at Carowinds on Sunday that could be related to the case please call Crime Stoppers.
So, now we know that Carowinds security did do something, it just took them awhile to figure which side of the park it happened on.
And as always, I didn't say what I mean. Lets try this again, People should more worried about the people they are respondable for than what other guests are doing. While the story upsets me, I wouldn't start a fight over it if security appears to have done nothing about it. It isn't worth getting banned from, Carowinds for, or getting arrested for fighting. Let the people that are respondable for security issues handle it. Does that sound better?
