Crime & Safety

Teen Accused of Sexual Assault Used West County Parks to Meet Girls, Police Say

Manchester police say more alleged victims are coming forward in connection to 19-year-old Joshua Witkowski who is charged with sexual assault. Police say he used parks to meet girls.

The following information was supplied by the Manchester Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction where an arrest was made.

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Joshua D. Witkowski, 19, of the 200 block of Ballwin Avenue in Winchester is charged with felony sexual assault in connection to an incident with a 14-year-old female. Police said Witkowski was 18 at the time of the alleged assault.

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(Read Previous Story: West County Teen Charged in Sexual Assault of 14-Year-Old)

"This happened on a piece of land that has not been developed," Manchester Police Sgt. Dan Rehm tells Patch, although will not say the exact location, he does it is not a park. "We're not going to disclose that because it's too close to the victim's home."

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As previously reported by Patch, Rehm said the teenage girl did not consent to the act and DNA evidence was used to link Witkowski to the alleged assault.

Now, police tell Patch that other girls are coming forward in connection to Witkowski's arrest.

"We have received about a dozen phone calls from girls. A few that have either dated him in the past, or a couple who may have actually been attacked by him in the past," Rehm tells Patch. "And we're going to coordinate with other (police) departments in those areas to see if there is enough to initiate reports to take to the prosecutor for review."

Rehm said Witkowski used parks throughout the West County area to meet girls.

"He was meeting girls at parks and striking up relationships with them. And he was also meeting them through Facebook," Rehm said. "One of he main parks that keeps coming up in discussion is Vlasis Park up in Ballwin."

Patch also found Witkowski soliciting dates on the online dating website DateHookup.com, but his profile is now inaccessible.

Investigators said Witkowski is in the St. Louis County Jail on $15,000 bond. 

They are still searching for more girls who came in contact with Witkowski.

"We're just interested in speaking with any other possible victims that might be out there," Rehm previously told Patch. "We believe they would most likely be from the West County area."

Detectives are asking other possible victims to contact the Manchester Police Department at 636 227-1410 or 636-527-9200.

Anonymous tips can be made to the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers at 866-317-TIPS (8477).  

*Please contact Local Editor Gabrielle Biondo with any questions regarding the above reports.


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