A Florida man is in jail after allegedly sexually assaulting a girl inside a Walmart store and then assaulting a hospital worker, according to the Flagler Sheriff’s Office.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, Robert Goldstein of Palm Coast, Florida, was arrested on New Year’s Day on felony charges of child abuse and assault on a health care provider.
According to reports, the 64-year-old man approached the 11-year-old girl, began stroking the top of her head and put his arm around her shoulders. Frazier County deputies were called to the Palm Coast Walmart after an incident on Dec. 28.
The girl looked at him in shock as he abused her, then Goldstein stormed out of the store, police said.
A few days later, Goldstein was arrested at Advent Health in Palm Coast. Goldstein reportedly entered a restricted area of the hospital, grabbed a medical professional who was trying to take him back to the emergency department, and pinned him against a wall. He continued to engage in physical contact with other hospital staff until law enforcement arrived and took him into custody, authorities said.
Once in custody, Goldstein allegedly confessed to abusing the child at Walmart due to “sexual frustration.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley said in a statement: “This disgusting pervert has taken up residence off the streets and at the Green Roof Inn.”
“This is a classic example of how sex offenders escalate and become more serious offenders. I commend the parents of the child who reported the initial incident at Walmart. And I commend our team for recognizing him so we could get him off the street before he could attack “a young child or another woman.” This is unlikely to be his first crime. As such, we are asking the community to contact us with information regarding their previous interactions with him. You can call 386-313-4911 or email tips@flaglersheriff.com. . ”