Airmont man, 71, charged with touching boy in bathroom

MONTEBELLO – A 71-year-old Airmont man is accused of touching a 14-year-old boy inside the bathroom of McDonald's at Indian Rock Shopping Center, Ramapo police said Wednesday.

Police Detective Lt. Mark Emma said the teenager fought off the sexual advances of Robert Cosenza, leading the older man to flee the fast-food eatery, located at Route 59 and Hemion Road, Ramapo.

The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. Monday; police arrested Cosenza on Tuesday.

Cosenza is accused of grabbing the teenager's rear end and his crotch, Emma said.

"The kid offered resistence," Emma said. "He was not passive. The guy immediately left."

Officers charged Cosenza with misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. Each charge carries a year in the county jail.

Montebello Justice Arnold Etelson released Cosenza on $500 bail pending a court appearance Aug. 13.

Emma said Cosenza has not been arrested previously. Anyone with any information on the case or Cosenza is asked to call the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.