A Cedar Rapids man is accused of picking up two girls and touching one of them inappropriately

CEDAR RAPIDS – A registered sex offender living in Cedar Rapids was arrested Friday on charges that he picked up two young girls and inappropriately touched one before they escaped from his vehicle.

Rusty Lynn Bowles, 56, is charged with child endangerment and indecent contact with a child.

According to a criminal complaint, two girls — ages 12 and 13 — told police they were walking together on April 25 when Bowles pulled up in a truck and offered them a ride. He took them to a gas station at Bowling Street SW and 41st Avenue Drive SW, where he bought them some food.

After driving away from the gas station, Bowles touched one of the girls inappropriately, and both girls told him not to touch her. They got out of the truck and went to a nearby business where police were called, the complaint said.

According to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, Bowles was convicted in 1994 of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse against an adult, and in 2011 was charged with enticing a minor between the ages of 14 and 17.

Notes: (319) 398-8328; [email protected]