Bernard Kiembock, the owner of Village Hardware in East Hampton, was arrested Saturday on a child endangerment charge over an incident that police say happened in the store on Oct. 13.
According to East Hampton Town Justice Court records, Mr. Kiembock, who is 78, grabbed a teenage girl “by her waist and kissed her on her lips” at the Newtown Lane store. The incident was “likely to be injurious to the physical and mental welfare of a child less than 17.”
The alleged victim’s name and age were not listed. Village police have not released any information or explained the delay between the alleged incident and the arrest, but according to the court records, the victim made a statement on Dec. 17.
Late on Monday night, after press time this week, Chief Mike Tracey confirmed an arrest was made in reference to a complaint and said the case is being handled by the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.
Mr. Kiembock, who lives in East Hampton Town, was charged with the misdemeanor on Saturday and arraigned before Justice Lisa R. Rana, who released him on his own recognizance.
Lloyd Friedland, a Garden City attorney with Librett Friedland LLP, which also has an office in East Hampton, declined to comment when reached on Monday, other than to say that Mr. Kiembock had pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court on Jan. 30.
