Crime & Safety

Stewardess Allegedly Sexually Assaulted by Stamford Shop Employee

The victim was allegedly lured to the back of the store with the promise of larger-than-average energy drinks.

A Stamford convenience store worker was arrested Tuesday after allegedly sexually assaulting a stewardess who came into the store looking for an energy drink, Capt. Richard Conklin announced Wednesday.

The 31-year-old victim, of Santiago, Chile, entered Main Street Convenience located at 199 Main St. at approximately 2:30 p.m. She was visiting the States as part of her job with LAN Chile Airlines and inquired about a specific size of energy drink larger than those typically available in her country, as a gift, the captain said.

According to Conklin, an employee identified as Mohammed Jamal Sayed, 20, of Aberdeen St., lured her the the back of the store under the premise that the energy drinks were stored there. Once there, Sayed allegedly began rubbing her leg.

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Conklin said the woman conveyed to Sayed that she had a boyfriend and attempted to leave the store, at which point he allegedly grabbed her and began groping her about "inappropriate places on her body."

A struggled ensued and the victim was able to leave. Conklin said store security footage shows the incident taking place as the victim described.

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"Family members who stopped in following the arrest explained it is not uncommon for behavior like this to occur in third-world countries," Conklin said. "This is not a third-world country."

Sayed, a Bangladesh national in the United States on a Green card, was charged with third-degree sexual assault and first-degree unlawful restraint, a felony. Conklin said cases involving Green card holders being charged with a felony are often reviewed by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Sayed was held on a $25,000 bond and issued a court date of Jan. 29, 2013.


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