A Cape Cod man will be arraigned today after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault a 5-year-old child at a local park earlier this week, according to authorities.
Ryan Evans, 27, of South Yarmouth, faces charges of assault to rape a child, kidnapping of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in connection to the Tuesday evening incident at Yarmouth’s Peter Homer Park.
It took nearly 24 hours for Yarmouth Police to capture the suspect.
Police initially responded to a report of a man, later identified as Evans, attempting to sexually assault a 5-year-old child prompted Yarmouth Police to respond to Peter Homer Park shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“While at a soccer game on the fields, the unknown man lured the child behind the park’s restrooms where the attempt took place,” a release states. “The child’s screams managed to scare off the suspect and he fled the area.”
Officers spotted Evans fleeing on an electric bicycle after they arrived in the area to begin a search. Another responding officer “attended to the child and their family to ensure their safety and obtain critical investigative information,” police said.
“An extensive search was underway for the suspect with patrols checking neighborhoods, parks, businesses and the bicycle path,” the release states. “While officers were conducting area checks, tips from social media began to come in.”
The response drew plain-clothed officers, bicycle patrol units, and other resources to track Evans down and “provide a higher level of safety and security.”
The nearly 24-hour search concluded just before 7 p.m. Wednesday when Yarmouth Police conducted a vehicle stop and located Evans. The department did not disclose where the stop happened.
Yarmouth Police posted on social media Wednesday night that the department is “familiar” with Evans and “had dealings with him in the past” including an incident in 2021 in which he was charged with unarmed burglary and assault, assault to rape a child, assault and battery, and destruction of property, and larceny.