WEBSTER – A girl under 14-years-old and her grandmother walked into the Webster Police Deaprtment on Monday, April 15, to report the girl was lured into a vehicle at Memorial Beach and assaulted. The man allegedly drove the girl to a location to drop off his dog before conducting the assault, then dropped her off near her residence.
The man allegedly told the girl he’d return to Memorial Beach around 11:30 AM the next day. She also provided some unique aspects of the vehicle he was driving, police say.
According to the Webster Police Department, patrols were increased at the beach with support from the Southern Worcester County Counter Crime and Drug Task Force. Police located a car matching the description provided by the girl and identified the driver as Walter Fanion, 68, of Southbridge.
Police increased patrols at the beach over the following days. Detectives from the Webster and Southbridge Police Departments monitored the suspect.
On Friday, April 19, officers followed Fanion from Southbridge to Memorial Beach, and took him into custody.
Fanion was held on $75,040 bail. He faces charges of Enticing a Child Under 16 and four counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child under 14.
The Webster Police Department asks anyone with similar contact with Fanion to call its Detective Bureau at (508) 943-1212.
Editor’s note: The information provided in this report is based on recent events as described by police. The claims within are allegations by police which may be challenged by the accused in court.
