Bakersfield Police Department arrests suspect in sexual battery case

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE:

On Friday, Steven Waldo pleaded not guilty to annoying a child. He is due back in court October 2, according to the Kern County Superior Court.

UPDATE:

On Wednesday, officials identified and arrested Steven Waldo as the suspect in this case. He has been charged with Annoying a child.

ORIGINAL:
The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect wanted in a sexual battery incident involving a juvenile that occurred on September 17th at the Target on Ming Avenue.

According to the BPD, "the suspect posed as loss prevention/undercover law enforcement and told the juvenile victim he needed to search her as part of a theft investigation. The victim went with the suspect to the area of the women’s restroom, where he sexually battered her."

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 45-55 years old with a full light-colored beard and sleeve tattoos on both arms. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a dark-colored Boston Red Sox hat, white button-up short-sleeved shirt, and blue jeans.

The investigation is on-going.

If you have any information pertaining to this case, you are asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.