Local

Exclusive surveillance video shows suspicious man put his hands on local woman

Putnam County authorities said they’re behind in tracking down the suspicious man who has spent the week approaching several women, because the alleged victims didn’t report it.

Police have been looking for him in Palatka for two days.  But, they were only notified through social media Thursday, even though the first encounters happened Tuesday.

They said that delay hindered this investigation.

Exclusive surveillance shows a man hugging Michelle Mitchell in the Marketplace in downtown Palatka Tuesday.

“The whole time he was in here he kept coming in for a hug, basically 'Are you single?' No, I’m not single,” Mitchell said.

“I think [he touched me] four times in the store,” she added.  “On the way across the street, he kept trying to put his hand on my shoulder, and when I got to the door he put his hand on my back.”

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Mitchell could have had a simple battery case, but she chose not to report it.

Deputies said the other business owners Action News Jax has been telling you about could have issued a trespass warning since he allegedly entered several shops and wouldn’t leave.

“Most of the owners down here and store shop owners are women, and definitely don’t need a shady character running around, trying to touch every female in town,” Mitchell said.