New Jersey Man Faces Indecent Assault Charges After Alleged Groping of Easter Bunny Costume Worker
A 36-year-old man from New Jersey has been arrested and charged with indecent assault following an alleged incident where he groped a woman dressed as the Easter Bunny at a Pennsylvania shopping mall. The disturbing event took place at the South Hills Village Mall in the Pittsburgh suburbs last Monday afternoon, around 3:20 pm.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to a criminal complaint reviewed by CBS Pittsburgh, Shivakrishna Bera approached the female worker while she was taking photographs with children and families in her full Easter Bunny costume. Police reports indicate that Bera initially inquired whether the person inside the costume was 'a boy or a girl?' before proceeding to grope her chest and body.
Upper St. Clair Township police detailed that Bera was subsequently tracked down to the adjacent AMC Theater, where he was discovered sleeping in the top row of one of the auditoriums. Upon being read his Miranda rights, Bera reportedly asked law enforcement officers, 'It's a doll, right?' When informed that the rabbit was indeed a person, he responded, 'By mistake, my hand touched her, if it's a lady.'
Evidence and Investigation
Surveillance footage provided to police by mall security clearly showed Bera sexually assaulting the individual inside the holiday rabbit costume. The video was captured by a camera pointed directly at the Easter Bunny display area. Bera, who is not a Pennsylvania resident, was identified through a New Jersey driver's license found in his possession.
During the arrest process, Bera appeared confused about the incident, asking officers, 'Is it on the close to Five Below, the merchandise thing, the bunny?' according to the criminal complaint. He later told police that he had merely been attempting to take a photograph with the Easter Bunny, but then allegedly began making inappropriate remarks about the bunny's chest.
Further Revelations and Charges
Bera allegedly explained to investigators that he was trying to 'test if it's real or fake,' referring specifically to the victim's breasts. The Easter Bunny's assistant witnessed the alleged assault and provided her account to authorities. While being transported, Bera commented on his arrest, saying 'if I did not watch a movie here I wouldn't have been caught.'
In addition to indecent assault, court records viewed by the Daily Mail reveal that Bera has been charged with cyber harassment of a child in connection with the same incident. Specific details regarding this additional charge remain unclear. Bera was unable to post his $10,000 bond and has been remanded to Allegheny County Jail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 2. Court documents note that he has not yet requested a public defender.
Community Reaction and Mall Response
Local residents expressed outrage upon learning about the sexual assault at the family-oriented mall. Logan Wells, a South Hills resident, told WPXI, 'Kids shop at the mall all the time, kids go to see the Easter Bunny all the time. That's not something that should be happening at this mall.'
Another mall patron, Jenn Herrig, expressed empathy for the victim, stating, 'I feel awful that she has had to go through this. It's really traumatizing.' She added that she had put herself in the worker's position and was uncertain whether she would return to work after such an experience.
Despite the alleged assault, the South Hills Village Mall has continued to operate its Easter Bunny exhibit. On March 26, three days after the incident, the mall posted on social media, 'The Bunny can't wait to see your smiling faces. Book your photos early before he hops away!' The Daily Mail has reached out to both the Upper St. Clair Township police and the Simon Property Group, which owns the mall, for further comment.
