Bloomington Man Arrested on Child Molesting Charges

(BLOOMINGTON) – Bloomington Police arrested 55-year-old Gary Collins on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor and child molesting.

According to police, the victim’s mother called around 11 p.m. Monday to report that Collins had shown an unhealthy interest in her 5-year-old daughter.

The mother reported she and her child came home around 5 p.m. on Monday. Her daughter ran from the car to a bench where Collins was sitting. As she approached the bench, she noticed Collins had his hand on her daughter’s leg. She told Collins to get away from her child.

The woman left with her child and entered their home.

Collins followed them and was seen pacing in front of their residence.

Later that night, the girl went outside to ride her bicycle, while her mother attended to two other children in the home. Collins approached the girl and asked her if she wanted a Pepsi to drink. The girl followed Collins to his home but fled before entering.

The mother called the police.

Police spoke to Collins who at first lied to police saying he had not touched the girl while they were sitting on the bench. Then said admitted he pattered her leg and pressed his thumb near her groin area.

Collins then told police he saw the girl riding her bike and asked her if she would like to come to his home for a Pepsi, but the girl fled before entering his residence.

Collins told police seeing the girl sexually aroused him. He said he intended to get her naked once he took her inside. He wanted her to touch him while he masturbated. Collins told police he targetted the girl after seeing her playing the day before.