78-year-old man charged after children approached in Niagara park

A 78-year-old man faces charges after an incident involving children in a Niagara park this week.

A concerned parent called police and said an older male was watching children at a park in the Russell Avenue and Catherine Street area of St. Catharines, Niagara Regional Police said

The man was reportedly following kids around and talking to them on June 10, police said.

Police said at one point, the man attempted to grab the young child of the parent who called police. The parent intervened and was in turn grabbed by the older man, police said.

The man returned to park at approximately 9 a.m. on June 11 and started talking to other children and the caller was concerned that he may act out again, police said.

One man was charged in connection with the incidents.

Carmelito Mariano, 78, was charged with assault.

Mariano is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Friday, June 12 in St. Catharines.

Police believe that there may have been more incidents. The man is described as Filipino with a dark, tanned complexion. He was wearing a long-sleeve dark navy shirt, shorts and a baseball hat.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 1 District CIB at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009703.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.