A Kansas man was arrested this week for allegedly posing as a Walmart employee, telling a female shopper he was a “asset protection officer” and that she needed to accompany him to the back of the store, where he assaulted and raped her, according to police.
Justin Metz, 42, targeted the woman at a Walmart on U.S. Route 73 in Atchison earlier this month and kidnapped her while posing as a security guard, according to the Hays Post news website and Fox affiliates KCTV and WDAF.
Metz allegedly approached the 32-year-old shopper as she was leaving the store, claiming to be a “asset protection officer” who needed to speak with her, according to the Atchison Police Department.
He led the woman to the back of the Walmart and took her into a bathroom, where he committed the sexual assault before continuing on with his day while the woman called police, according to officials. Hours later, Metz allegedly returned to Walmart, where employees reported him walking around the store.
Cops responded and arrested Metz without incident, charging him with kidnapping, rape, and sexual battery. Walmart issued a statement on Tuesday, confirming that Metz was not an employee or a security guard.
“The safety of customers and associates is a top priority,” the retailer stated, according to WDAF. “We acted swiftly to engage law enforcement and are working closely with them throughout this investigation.”
Metz’s attack occurred on March 9, but it was not reported until Tuesday. He has yet to appear in court on his charges and is currently detained at the Atchison County Jail while police investigate whether Metz has committed similar attacks on other women. He has yet to be assigned a court date because the investigation is ongoing.
