Man charged for allegedly touching, photographing girl in Port Colborne store

Niagara police have arrested a Hamilton man accused of inappropriately touching and photographing a young girl in a Port Colborne store.

Officers say they arrested 29-year-old Nicholas Consoli of Hamilton at 10:20 p.m. on Monday night.

Police say their investigation determined that a few hours earlier, at around 7:20 p.m., a young girl and her mother entered a local retail store in Port Colborne.

While inside, investigators say the pair were followed unknowingly by a man.

During their time in the store, officers say the girl was briefly separated from her mother when she was approached by the man, touched inappropriately and the man took a photo or video of her.

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Detectives say the girl immediately told her mother what happened and they tried to find the man but he actively avoided them.

The duo then told store staff, who called police and reviewed surveillance footage with officers.

Consori has been charged with sexual assault, voyeurism and making child pornography. He is being held in custody before his bail hearing Tuesday.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1009407.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

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