FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A 64-year-old Palm Coast man faces charges after he was accused of assaulting a healthcare provider on New Year's Day, just days after he was deemed wanted for assaulting an 11-year-old girl at a Walmart, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Robert Goldstein, 64, was arrested on assault charges Monday morning after deputies say he grabbed a medical provider and pinned her against a wall at AdventHealth Palm Coast hospital.
Deputies said Goldstein was trespassing in a restricted area of the hospital at the time of the incident.
"He continued to get physical with other members of the staff before deputies arrived," according to a news release.
It wasn't until Goldstein was arrested for this assault, that an analyst with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office recognized he fit the description for an assault on a minor at a local Walmart that took place just days before.
Deputies say Goldstein was caught stroking the head and shoulders of an 11-year-old girl at a Palm Coast Walmart while she was shopping with her mother, according to FCSO.
"As the girl stared at him in shock, he bolted for the exit holding a pair of jeans and a plastic bag," the release states.
The girl's mother reported the incident to police.
Walmart's surveillance footage capturing Goldstein leaving the store helped deputies connect him to the crime after he was arrested for assault at the hospital.
When he was later questioned by deputies, Goldstein confessed to the assault on the child, and added he did it because he was "sexually frustrated."
According to deputies, Goldstein had no prior criminal history in the county and was not a registered sex offender.
However, deputies described Goldstein's behavior as "escalating in boldness," which as a result, "makes him a serious threat to women and young children within the community."
Sheriff Rick Staly said this is likely not Goldstein's first offense and is asking community members to come forward if they've experienced an unwanted encounter with him.
Anyone can report these encounters to 386-313-4911 or email tips@flaglersheriff.com.
"This is a textbook example on how sex offenders escalate and become much more serious offenders," said Staly. "I commend the child’s parent for reporting the initial incident at Walmart and I commend our team for recognizing him so we could get him off the streets before he could attack a young child or another female."
