#Arrest #InappropriateSexualContact #Crime #Courts #SpotlightNews
BETHLEHEM — An Albany 16-year-old was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 6 after he was alleged to have had inappropriate sexual encounters with three separate children, each in different incidents dating back to July.
Eliezer M. Wildman was arrested on one felony count of sexual abuse in Bethlehem, and two misdemeanor counts in Albany and Colonie for forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child.
Editor’s Note: Both the Albany and Bethlehem police departments released Wildman’s name despite his age as a minor. Because of the severity of his charges, and the frequency in which he is alleged to have committed these crimes, our editorial staff decided it was our responsibility to the community to post his picture and publish his name.
Wildman was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 6 after a series of alleged incidents that spread across the Capital District. The latest of which took place Wednesday, Sept. 5 at The Crossings in Colonie. The oldest event dates back to July, involving a child at the Bethlehem Public Library.
According to Bethlehem police, Wildman had sexual contact with a child at the public library on Thursday, July 19. Weeks later, Albany police state he approached an 11-year-old girl on New Scotland Avenue on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at around 4 p.m. He is alleged to have placed his hands underneath her clothing. On Wednesday, Sept. 5 between noon and 12:30 p.m., Colonie police state Wildman approached a 12-year-old boy in a men’s restroom at The Crossings Park of Colonie and exposed himself inappropriately.
In each case, the respective victim notified a family member and police were notified.
Wildman was arrested by Colonie Police on Thursday, Sept. 6. He was arraigned in Town of Colonie Justice Court, Bethlehem Court and Albany City Criminal Court. He is now in Albany County jail.
Bethlehem PD Commander Adam Hornick reported that they are “still working to develop a motive, [as] the course of multiple incidents by the same offender is alarming and shows a pattern of behavior that is concerning.”
He also noted that the police have furthermore been working with the victims’ families and offering services to “help them through this traumatic experience.”
Hornick concluded that since the incidents happened in casual locations like a restroom, library and a street, it is particularly “disturbing.”
Colonie police suspect there are more victims who have not come forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Colonie police at 518-783-2744 or Bethlehem police at 518-439-9973.
