***UPDATE- ARREST MADE***

DSP News Release: Detectives Arrest Laurel Man for Touching Boy

Date: Sunday, July 3, 2011

Defendant: Ronald W. Hastings, 64, Laurel, DE

Charges:

-Unlawful Sexual Contact 1^st Degree

-Assault 2^nd Degree

-Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Resume:

Bridgeville- Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a 64 year old Laurel man for the unlawful touching of a 3 year old boy that occurred on Friday at the Burger King Restaurant in Seaford.

Ronald W. Hastings turned himself in at Troop 5 in Bridgeville, DE this morning after family members saw a story about the incident in the media. Detectives charged Hastings with the above list of crimes. He was arraigned at JP Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution for lack of $11,000 secured bail.

A photograph of Ronald Hastings is not available at this time.

Released Sunday, July 03, 2011 at 9:45 p.m.

Original Release Below

DSP News Release: Troopers Search for Suspect after Touching Child

Location: Burger King Restaurant, 24000 block of Sussex Highway (RT 13), Seaford, DE

Date of Occurrence:  Friday, July 1, 2011 at 6:15 p.m.

Suspect:

-White male, 50-60 years of age, 5’5”-5’9” tall with a large built. He was last seen wearing tan pants, a short sleeved button down shirt, black cap, and glasses.

Victim: 3 year old Laurel, DE boy

Resume:    

Seaford- The Delaware State Police are currently searching for a male suspect after he inappropriately touched a three year old juvenile in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant yesterday evening in Seaford, DE.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. yesterday as a Laurel, DE woman and her three year old son were inside of the Burger King Restaurant located in the 24000 block of Sussex Highway in Seaford. As the mother waited in line to receive her food order, the three year old responded to the men’s bathroom. A short time later, the victim’s mother responded to the bathroom and called for her son. After not receiving an initial response, the mother called again for her son at which time the men’s bathroom door was opened by another male patron of the restaurant who asked her if a small child inside of the bathroom was her son. The mother then looked in the bathroom where she observed her son standing inside with his pants down around his ankles and his shirt missing. It was at this point that the male suspect described above exited the stall inside of the bathroom, holding the victim’s shirt. The mother and the 3 year old victim then fled from the bathroom with the suspect following them, attempting to return the victim’s shirt. The mother then grabbed the shirt from the suspect, fled from the restaurant with her son, and called 9-1-1 from a nearby residence. The suspect was last seen entering a gold or silver vehicle described as possibly being a Dodge Neon. A subsequent interview of the victim was conducted at which time it was revealed that the male suspect had touched the victim’s penis while they were in the bathroom.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have any information in reference to this incident or who may recognize this suspect to contact Delaware State Police Troop 5 at 302-337-1090. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).  Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

Released Saturday, July 02, 2011 at 7:55 a.m.