MEDIA RELEASE

SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Incident:                     Arrest

Location:                    Springfield Area

Case Number:           21-5670

Date/Time:                 August 24th 2021 / 0945 hours

More Information:    Kris Seibel – Public Information Coordinator

Completed By:           Detective Justin Myers – Acting Investigations Sergeant

Arrested:        Esgate, Arthur Dale – 55 years old of Springfield

 Charges:         Sex Abuse III

                           DWS – Misdemeanor

NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT:

On August 14th 2021,  Springfield Police responded to the Albertsons grocery store at 5755 Main Street.  The initial investigation revealed that a minor female employee was disinfecting carts when she was approached by an unknown male, later identified as Arthur Esgate, age 55.  Esgate approached the victim and sexually assaulted her before continuing into the store.  The employee relayed the incident to store management who escorted Esgate from the location.  Management was able to obtain photos of Esgate and his vehicle as he was leaving the location.

After the initial report was taken, the case was forwarded to Springfield Police Detectives for follow up.  Detectives were able to positively identify Esgate as the suspect.  On August 24th Esgate was contacted and arrested without incident.  He was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the listed charges.

There is currently an unknown female shopper who may have witnessed the incident that detectives would like to speak with regarding the case.  Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Detective Keith Seanor at 541-726-3721.