AIKEN, S.C. — A 65-year-old man has been arrested after being accused of attempting to lure two children at an Aiken department store, offering them money in exchange for going to the restroom with him. The incident reportedly occurred at the Whiskey Road Target store on Tuesday.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to the Aiken Department of Public Safety, William Michael Scott was arrested on Friday and charged with two counts of luring a child. The initial investigation indicates that Scott approached two victims separately at the store.
The first victim, a child, told authorities that Scott offered her $300 and showed her money, asking her to go to the restroom with him. The victim immediately ran to her parent, who was nearby on the toy aisle. After the child pointed out the man, the parent pursued Scott, but he managed to escape through the store’s front entrance, disappearing into the parking lot.
The child reportedly described Scott as looking “old enough to be a grandpa,” according to the investigation report.
Second Victim Comes Forward
As officers continued their investigation, they spoke to a second parent whose child had a similar encounter with the man shortly before. The second victim, while in the pajama section, said a man crouched next to her and held out money while mentioning the word “bathroom.” Initially, the victim did not say anything to her mother, but later, the man approached again while they were on the toy aisle, repeating his actions.
This time, the child told her mother about the encounter, leading to a commotion in the store. The first parent began shouting and chasing Scott, prompting others in the store to intervene.
Security Footage and Arrest
Surveillance footage from the store helped investigators track Scott’s movements. The video confirmed he was present in the areas mentioned by the victims and showed him leaving in a dark vehicle, possibly an older model black pickup truck.
Following his arrest on Friday, William Michael Scott was taken to the Aiken County jail. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
