Man accused of molesting girl inside van

Mohamed Hasheem Hafeez arrested in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – A man previously convicted of luring and enticing children was arrested in Orlando on suspicion of molesting a girl in his van.

Mohamed Hasheem Hafeez, 53, was arrested Tuesday on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the 13-year-old girl was walking to Meadowbrook Middle School on Monday when a man, later identified by the girl as Hafeez, pulled his white van near her, grabbed her arm and asked her if she needed a ride.

Initially, the girl said she told school officials about the incident, saying she kicked the man in the groin and ran away, according to an arrest affidavit.

During an investigation, however, authorities discovered security video from a nearby office showing the girl getting into the van, according to deputies.

When she was re-interviewed, she admitted that she got into the van and said Hafeez fondled her after she buckled her seat belt, according to an arrest affidavit.

The girl told investigators that she exited the van when Hafeez stopped at a stop sign, according to deputies.

The girl said her first account of the incident didn't contain all the details because she felt bad about getting into the man's van and she was embarrassed, according to deputies.

In an interview with Hafeez, he claimed that the girl flagged him down and asked for a ride.  After being informed about the video, he asked to speak to a lawyer, deputies said.

Hafeez was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail.

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