Crime

Man tried to sexually assault 5-year-old at Cape Cod park, police say

During a past arrest in 2021, the man’s mother said he has an intellectual disability.

July 11, 2024

1 minute to read

Yarmouth police arrested a man after a report of an attempted sexual assault of a child at a local park Tuesday night.

Ryan Evans, 27, of South Yarmouth, is charged with assault to rape a child, kidnapping of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, according to a press release from Yarmouth police.

Evans is expected to be arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Thursday.

Shortly before 8 p.m., police received a report that a man had attempted to assault a 5-year-old child sexually at Peter Homer Park, the release said.

While at a soccer game, the man, later identified as Evans, allegedly lured the child behind the park’s restrooms where the attempt took place. The child’s screams scared off Evans, and he fled the area.

Yarmouth Fire and Rescue and police assessed the child for injuries.

More officers arrived and began searching for Evans, who was seen leaving on an electric bicycle. They searched nearby neighborhoods, parks, businesses, and bicycle paths.

Just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Yarmouth police conducted a vehicle stop, which located Evans. He was arrested and taken to the Yarmouth Police Department for processing.

Yarmouth police have dealt with Evans in the past. In 2021, police charged him with unarmed burglary and assault, assault to rape a child, assault and battery, destruction of property, and larceny.

After his previous arrest, Evan’s mother told the Cape Cod Times that her son was diagnosed with an intellectual disability when he was a teenager.