Alleged Serial Groper Felt Up Four Teens In Two Hours; Told Victims "God Bless You"

Danis Pelaez

​There's good news: an alleged serial groper who felt up four teenage girls in about two hours last week in Inwood has been arrested. Believe it or not, the suspect's a convicted sex offender who's currently wanted in Rhode Island.

Danis Pelaez, 35, was arrested last week after the alleged March 22 groping spree, during which he told victims "god bless you" after the alleged gropings.

The victims range in age from 13 to 18. Each were attacked while walking to school near Academy Street and Broadway.

Police say Pelaez first struck about 7:40 a.m. on the aforementioned date when he approached a 13-year-old victim, grabbed her butt and thigh, and then told her "god bless you."

About two hours later, at 9:30, Pelaez struck again -- this time grabbing a 16-year-old by the waist and telling her how pretty she is.

Two minutes later, he allegedly grabbed an 18-year-old woman's butt. The victim told him to "get away," at which point he allegedly rubbed his body against her.

About 10 a.m., police say Pelaez was at it again, this time telling another 18-year-old she was "sexy" before grabbing her and trying to pull her into his body as she tried to enter a store.

One of the victims identified Pelaez as the alleged groper. He was arrested shortly after while attempting to flee on foot near Vermilyea Avenue.

As first reported by DNAinfo, Pelaez is a convicted sex offender out of Rhode Island, where he's currently wanted for a probation violation and failure to change his address.

Pelaez was booked on four counts each of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and ordered held without bail.