A 41-year-old Longview man was arrested this week after allegedly approaching a 12-year-old girl and making inappropriate sexual comments toward her.

Longview Police Captain Brandon McNew says that officers responded around 9:30 p.m. on Monday to the 900 block of 7th Avenue after a nearby resident witnessed an interaction between the man and the girl. The witness intervened, which led to the man leaving the area.

Longview Police identified Nathaniel Jones as a possible suspect. He was found the next day walking in the 900 block of Vandercook Way. Officers had to chase him down, but they were able to arrest him near Michigan Street and 12th Avenue.

The juvenile says that Jones had approached her in an alley and made sexually explicit comments, asking her if she wanted to have sex or smoke marijuana. He then allegedly followed her when she tried to walk away, grabbed her by the sleeve of her sweatshirt, and after this interaction, the witness intervened.

Jones was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on charges including 4th Degree Assault with Sexual Motivation and Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes.

The case remains under investigation. LPD also reminds the community that the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.