Alleged sexual assault at mall

GRAND CHUTE - "To serve and protect" - that's what people trust police to do. And officials said one man posed as a police officer to take advantage of that trust.

"Using this impression of being law enforcement officer to violate somebody, that's obviously, it's concerning," said Sgt. Mike Velie of the Grand Chute Police Dept.

Velie said police are looking for a man in his 30s. Velie said two 13-year-old girls were shopping at Target in the Fox River Mall when they noticed this man watching them. They left the store, and he followed.

"The male approached both females, identified himself as an Appleton police officer and accused one of them of shoplifting," said Velie.

Police said the suspect separated the two girls, leaving one at a bench outside this Target, and taking the other one here to a dumpster, where officials said the man sexually assaulted her.

"The victim said that she thought he was a police officer until she got behind the dumpster and then she knew obviously that something wasn't right," said Velie.

Cameras outside of Target captured the suspect on video. A store spokesperson said Target is cooperating with police.

"We are very committed to the safety and security of our customers and employees. We're working with local law enforcement ensuring a safe walking and shopping environment,” said Target spokesperson Jessica Carlson.

Shopper Diana Strickland said being a mother of three girls, the attack hits close to home.

"I have my daughter here who's 18 and then I have the younger girls and they're more trustworthy of law enforcement than anybody else," said Strickland.

Teens around the victim's age said they don't know what they would have done in a similar situation.

"If it's a police officer, you kinda trust them," said 13-year-old Emily Holey.

"I think it's really crazy, it makes you think, who can you really trust?" said Brandi Strickland of Appleton.

And it makes them think twice.

"Is it really gonna be one? Or is it just someone putting on a front?" said Strickland.

Velie said people should think twice.

"If somebody in plain clothes approaches them, and identifies themselves as an officer, ask for a uniform officer to come to the scene," said Velie.

Officials said they have received several tips and leads they hope will result in finding the suspect.