Clovis Police Seek Suspect in Juvenile Sexual Battery at Retail Store

A man touched a female juvenile over her clothing inside a retail store near Shaw and Clovis avenues just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, prompting Clovis Police to release store surveillance images the following day in a bid to put a name to the suspect.

The department logged the case under number 26-22672 and described the charge as misdemeanor sexual battery. The juvenile reported the incident to officers shortly after it occurred, allowing investigators to pull surveillance footage and compile a physical description of the man before issuing the public appeal on April 1.

Clovis Police released still images from inside the store and specifically asked shoppers, parents, and store employees who were in the area that evening to review the photos and contact investigators. The Shaw and Clovis avenues retail corridor draws dense weekday foot traffic, and the timing, just before the 5 p.m. rush, meant a substantial number of people could have witnessed the encounter without realizing its significance.

The public response proved useful. Within days of the appeal, the department updated its inquiry to confirm that incoming tips had led to an identification of the suspect. As of early April, no arrest had been announced, and investigators said they were actively following up on leads, reviewing additional surveillance footage, and interviewing store employees and potential witnesses.

Anyone with information who has not yet come forward can still reach the department through the Clovis PD tip line at (559) 324-2459 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP. If the case moves toward formal charges, prosecutors will determine whether to pursue it as a misdemeanor or seek a felony count based on the evidence and the suspect's prior record.

The department's rapid release of surveillance stills reflected the urgency investigators attach to cases involving juvenile victims: early public identification can be the difference between a quick arrest and a trail that goes cold.