Watch CBS News

Man Accused Of Following, Grabbing Preteen Sisters In Cambridge Is Level 3 Sex Offender

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) -- Cambridge police announced Saturday that they have made an arrest in connection with the Feb. 13 incident where two preteen girls were followed in the Pleasant Street area.

Fifty-two-year-old Lionel Ivan Braithwaite Jr., who is believed to be homeless, was arrested and charged with two counts of kidnapping.

Brathwaite
Lionel Ivan Brathwaite Jr. (Courtesy photo)

Braithwaite is a Level 3 sex offender. Level 3  sex offenders are those who are considered to have a high risk of re-offending and who pose a high degree of danger to the public, according to the state of Massachusetts.

On Friday, police released surveillance video of the encounter.

CPD Investigating Man Who Approached and Grabbed Girls by Cambridge Police Department on YouTube

According to police, Braithwaite asked for directions and grabbed one of the girls by the arm. After walking with the girls for several streets, he asked the girls if they wanted to go down an alley with him. When the girls said no, he apologized and let the girl go. The girls then ran for home.

Cambridge Map
The route the girls took through Cambridge when approached by man. (Photo Credit: Cambridge Police Department)

In a separate incident, the mother of a 17-year-old girl in Cambridge said her daughter was followed in Central Square on Feb. 3. The suspect was described by police as a bald, white man with a noticeable scar on his head. No arrests have been made.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.