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Police identify 24-year-old suspect in South End sexual assault

BOSTON — A 24-year-old Malden man has been arrested in connection to an alleged sexual assault in the South End.

Police asked for the public's help in their search for a suspect and announced Tuesday morning they had arrested Anthony Smith-Pacheco.

Boston Police put out the information Sunday night, saying the assault happened Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m. at a business on Harrison Avenue.

Police say Smith-Pacheco is the man caught on surveillance after an indecent assault.

Just after 2 p.m. Sunday, Boston 25 News was on scene as an ambulance responded to the Adelson Art Galleries near the SoWa Open Market, which isn't open at this time of year -- with several officers on scene questioning someone inside.

Sources say the suspect walked inside, exposed himself and then tried to inappropriately touch the victim.

Many residents in the area were surprised that such a thing could happen, and expressed that they generally feel safe in the neighborhood.

"Generally this area is so up and coming, there are so many people out all the time [so] I feel safe," said Tori Frappolli from Boston.

The area where the incident occurred is filled with retail spaces -- art studios, galleries and nice apartment complexes.

Detectives spent hours gathering evidence in the South End Sunday.

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