JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) – A registered sex offender from Brooklyn has been arrested on charges he groped a New Jersey woman aboard a PATH train on two occasions, Port Authority police said.
Gian Verdelli, 61, was arrested Monday in Jersey City by undercover officers, who identified him by using a cell phone photo the 28-year woman took of her alleged attacker after a July 3 incident. She said the same man had also groped her on June 30.
The alleged serial groper would target crowded rush hour trains, naturally pressing his flesh against other passengers and molesting young women, authorities said.
Verdelli is charged with two counts of criminal sexual misconduct and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Verdelli had 168 prior arrests, the majority of which were for sexual offenses, officials said.
The arrest had many women who ride the PATH train concerned and outraged.
“There should be laws that keep people like that in jail a little bit longer,” one commuter said.
Another woman said she is always on guard during her commute and will move away if she spots someone suspicious.
Verdelli is being held without bail.
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