IndianaLocalNews

Charges made after woman sexually assaulted, robbed in parking lot at U.P. Mall

(Photo supplied/St. Joseph County Jail)

An update from the 95-3 MNC follow-up file: The man accused of sexually assaulting and robbing a woman in the University Park mall parking lot in Mishawaka has been charged.

Ariana Simms says that 66-year-old McClaude Bridges Jr. accosted her while she was with her 4-year-old child. Now, Bridges is charged with armed robbery and sexual battery.

The victim told police she was buckling her 4-year-old daughter into her car seat when the man, armed with a knife, approached her from behind and told her to get into the car or he’d kill her.

The man demanded the woman’s car keys and her bank card.

The man ordered the woman back into the car, took her spot in the driver’s seat, where she told ABC 57 News that he groped her.

The woman was able to get her daughter out of the car and screamed for help.

Police caught up with the suspect, 66-year-old McClaude Bridges Jr. He was arrested on preliminary charges of sexual battery and robbery while armed with a deadly weapon or resulting in bodily injury.

The victim of the assault and robbery told her story to ABC 57 News. Click to WATCH.

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4 comments

Thor January 18, 2023 at 9:38 pm

So, how many days will he stay in custody before he’s allowed to go out and repeat offend?

Reply
Charles U Farley January 19, 2023 at 10:09 am

Somewhere between zero and none.

It’s enough to make you wonder if St Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter knows George Soros…

Reply
Adam January 19, 2023 at 7:51 am

This dangerous criminal should stay locked 🔒 up. There have been too many crimes in the parking lot of University Park Mall in the past few years.

Reply
Charles U Farley January 19, 2023 at 10:09 pm

There’s a lot of crime there because the mall is a gun-free zone. Plenty of unarmed victims with money walking around helpless tends to attract crime.

Paul Blart Mall Cop rolling around on his Segway with pepper spray and no gun is NOT a deterrent to these people (obviously).

Reply

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