18-year-old man arrested for assault on 77-year-old woman at tanning salon

[Editor-in-Chief]

Centralia Man Charged with Tanning Spa Assault Bond has been set at 250-thousand dollars for an 18-year-old Centralia man formally charged in Marion County Court Wednesday with the assault of a 77-year-old woman at Maximum Tan on South Poplar Street in Centralia last month. Brian Edwards of South Maple was charged with alleged aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated battery.


The charges state Edwards forcefully touched the victim and grabbed and shoved her into a tanning bed and against a wall. Edwards told police he was seeking a 'thrill-scare' that had been talked about in an internet chat room---but only wanted to scare the victim and not sexually assault, hurt, or rob her.

Edwards was picked up for questioning after he was identified in a photo lineup by the victim and a search warrant executed on his home turned up clothing items matching the description of those worn by the suspect. Meanwhile, the victim of the crime is commending Centralia Police for their hard work in solving the case.


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