Crime & Safety

Canton PD Looking for More Victims

A Canton man allegedly grabbed the chest and buttocks of a Walmart employee last May. This month, a Ross department store employee reported a similar incident.

A 55-year-old Canton man was arrested this week in connection with two incidents of sexual battery, and the is looking for more victims.

In both cases, John Deeyaa allegedly motioned to hug women, then groped them against their will. The first known instance occurred at on May 28, 2011.

"Deeyaa pulled (the victim) into his body as if to hug her and then touched her breast and butt," said Sgt. Stacy Bailey, spokeswoman for the police department. "Deeyaa had been interviewed after this first incident by police but not enough evidence was available for the police to take warrants on Deeyaa."

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Just a few weeks ago, on May 12, a department store employee reported a similar encounter with Deeya.

"Deeyaa was a regular customer and had pulled her into him trying to hug her then grabbed her chest," Bailey said. "Deeyaa had also been bothering other female employees at this incident location."

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Other victims should contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

Deeya, who was arrested Tuesday, is being held at the .


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