Man faces charges of luring, assaulting a girl from Webster beach

A 68-year-old Southbridge man is facing multiple charges after, police say, he lured a girl from a Webster beach into his car, kidnapped her, and indecently assaulted her last week.

Walter Fanion, 68, is charged with kidnapping, enticing a child under 16, and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. He is being held on a $75,040 cash bail, according to authorities.

Webster police said on April 15 a girl and her grandmother came to the station and reported that the girl was at Memorial Beach when she encountered a man with a dog who allegedly lured her into his car. They told officers the man then drove the girl to a location to drop off the dog and at some point assaulted her. 

The man allegedly dropped the girl back near her home, where she told her grandmother what happened. 

Police said the department immediately began collecting evidence and increased patrols at Memorial Beach

“The initial investigation revealed the suspect had advised her he would be at Memorial Beach the following day at 11:30 a.m.,” police said. “Webster Police Detectives and several officers from surrounding departments comprising the Southern Worcester County Counter Crime and Drug Task Force (SWCCCDTF) flooded the area.”

Police said the girl provided details about the car, and officers located a vehicle matching the description at Memorial Beach, identifying the potential suspect, later identified as Fanion.

Over several days, police said investigators monitored Fanion and Memorial Beach. He was followed on Friday by officers to Memorial Beach where he was arrested. 

The department is asking anyone who has had similar contact with Fanion to contact detectives at 508-943-1212.