Police in New York announced the arrest of a WBNA fan who allegedly threw a sex toy toward the court during a game last month and hit a 12-year-old girl.
The New York City Police Department reported Charles Burgess, 32, of Dayton, Ohio, was booked into jail Aug. 20 on two counts of assault in connection with the attack.
According to information released to USA TODAY on Aug. 21, police had been searching for the assault suspect since Aug. 5, when the incident took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
No major injuries were reported by the NYPD.
The agency reported the girl suffered pain in her leg after being hit by the object but was not hospitalized, police said.
Man who threw sex toy at basketball game located
Witnesses told police that about 8:45 p.m. ET an unidentified person threw an object, which struck the girl in the right leg at the arena.
The person then fled on foot, police said.
Following the incident, police had asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.
Police said officers arrested Burgess at the 78th Precinct this week.
It was not immediately known whether Burgess had obtained an attorney to represent him in the case.
Sex toys being thrown at WNBA games
In response to the incident, the WNBA released a statement about arena safety.
“The safety of everyone in our arenas remains a top priority,’ the WNBA statement reads. ‘We are working closely with local and federal law enforcement to pursue all appropriate actions − including arrest and prosecution with felony charges where applicable − against anyone engaged in this conduct or otherwise involved in sponsoring this reckless and unacceptable behavior.”
In addition to Aug. 5, there have been at least seven incidents during which a sex toy has been thrown at WNBA games in July and August, with four reaching the court during live game action. At least two other arrests stemming from the incidents also took place, USA TODAY previously reported.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.