32-year-old man harasses two boys in swimming pool changing room

A report was received shortly after 5.30 pm on Thursday, 21st November at the operational control centre of the Zug police: Two children had been sexually harassed by a 32-year-old man on Thursday evening in the swimming pool in Lättich in Baar.

Two eight-year-old boys stated that a sexually-aroused man had exposed himself in front of them in the men's dressing room. “The two boys reacted very well. They did not approach the man, left the changing room and informed their accompanying adult, the mother of one of the boys, "reported Frank Kleiner, media spokesman for the Zug law enforcement authorities, on request. The mother then informed the supervisor.

As a result, a law enforcement team was immediately deployed, and arrested the man in the swimming pool pointed out by the two boys. The man, a Swiss resident of the Canton of Zug, admitted the offence. He was visiting the swimming pool, despite been reported "because of a similar case" in the past. The public prosecutor of the Canton of Zug has opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of sexual acts with children. The man was released after the questioning and a house search. According to Kleiner, there been no cases of this kind in the Canton of Zug "in the recent past".

Lättich swimming pool in Baar

The Baar councillor Sonja Zeberg emphasizes that she knows of no similar incidents in the Lättich swimming pool. "We are shocked, and greatly regret that the two boys witnessed such an incident.", The swimming pool employees reacted very well, however, by immediately isolating the man and contacting the police. Philipp Schwerzmann, Head of Properties/Sport in Canton Zug, added that the man would be denied access to the Lättich swimming pool indefinitely. "A ban like this is only imposed once or twice a year, but usually for more harmless reasons, for example, if bathers do not adhere to the rules. The incident will now be discussed internally, and the imposition of any necessary measures will be considered.

The Facebook page "You bisch vo Baar, if ..." recently warned of a "child molester" in the village. A woman posted that a man had addressed her six-year-old daughter with the phrase "tuesch gärn blasé (do you like blowing)". The incident was reported to the police, as Frank Kleiner confirmed. But this case must be considered separately from the incident in the Lättich swimming pool, as there is no connection according to the current investigation. Kleiner emphasizes the importance of always informing the police first. Law enforcement agencies give tips for those affected (see box below), and take reports of this kind very seriously. The police have no new information regarding the unknown man who is said to have approached a girl in Baar.

What the police advise parents and children

It is important that the police should be immediately informed of any such observations and indications, rather than placing warnings in the social media, writes the Zug police. "This can lead to misunderstandings and uncertainty."

The police advise children as follows:
• Be careful when strangers want to talk to you and never go with someone you do not know.
• Never allow strangers to invite you to a restaurant, a fairground, or a car, and do not accept gifts from strangers.
• Never go into a house or apartment with an unknown person.
• Never hitch-hike.
• If a stranger wants to drag you into a car or into a house, scream loudly for help, and defend yourself as best you can. Try to remember the age, size, language, clothes and the car number of the person.
• Immediately tell your parents or your teachers if anything has happened to you or a friend, or if you have been approached by an unknown person, or notify the police (041 728 41 41).