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Man faces felony assault charges after string of random sexual attacks in and around Malden T station
Ralph Fleuristil is faceing felony assault charges after two women allege they were sexually assaulted at random, Malden police said.
A Melrose man faces felony assault charges after an “intensive investigation” into a string of random assaults in Malden, police in Malden said.
Ralph Fleuristil, 34, was arrested Feb. 6 after police executed a search warrant at a home on Ferdinand Street in Melrose, the Malden Police Department announced.
According to the complaint issued with the arrest warrant, the home is believed to be Fleuristil’s.
Fleuristil is charged with two felony counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, one felony count of assault and battery on a person over 60/disabled, and a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery, court documents show.
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Fleurstil pleaded not guilty to all charges, court documents show.
Malden police began investigating Fleuristil in January after two women reported similar alleged assaults within the same vicinity, police said.
At least two women have been identified as victims, and police believe there are at least two more victims who have not come forward, Malden police said.
According to the complaint issued with the arrest warrant, the two victims allege a man bear hugged and inappropriately touched them during separate attacks in and around the Malden Center MBTA stop.
Malden police claim the assaults were random and sexually motivated.
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Fleuristil was held on $7,500 bail and ordered, if released, to stay away from victims and witnesses, including no contact with victims and witnesses, to wear a GPS tracking device, and to abide by a curfew, court documents show.
His next scheduled court hearing is on March 5, court documents show.
Police encourage anyone who believes they were assaulted by Fleuristil to contact the Malden Police Department.
Police also thanked neighbors who assisted in locating Fleuristil.
An attorney for Fleuristil did not respond to a request for comment Thursday evening.
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