By Kimberly Finnigan
DuBOIS – A DuBois man is facing charges following an incident at his place of business.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, filed with District Judge Patrick Ford’s office Feb. 6, Uzi Kornhauser, 56, 3100 Oklahoma/Salem Rd., Apt 103, DuBois, has been charged by the DuBois City police with indecent assault and harassment following an incident Feb. 4.
According to the affidavit, the victim contacted police to report an alleged sexual assault. The victim said she was inappropriately touched as she was at Uzi’s Pastries on North Brady Street in DuBois.
The victim told police that she went to Uzi’s Pastries around 10:30 a.m. Feb. 4 to order coffee and a doughnut. She said Kornhauser greeted her, then walked around the counter, hugged her and kissed her twice on the lips.
The victim said she thought this was “weird” but told police she thought it might be something to do with his culture.
The victim then told police she sat at a small table as Kornhauser got her food and coffee for her. She said Kornhauser then sat at the table with her and they talked about general things.
The victim said she mentioned that she had to go meet a friend for lunch and Kornhauser got up, walked over to her right side, and hugged her. The victim said as he hugged her, he allegedly grabbed her breast, leaned down and kissed her on the lips twice. The victim said she got up to leave because she felt she was “unsafe” there.
The victim said as she attempted to leave and Kornhauser asked her if she wanted any soup, but she refused. She said Kornhauser brought her some soup and she thanked him, but as she turned toward the door, Kornhauser grabbed her behind the neck and started rubbing as if he were giving her a massage. The victim said she felt if she didn’t leave immediately, she would be assaulted.
The victim said she was afraid she might not be able to leave, as Kornhauser was bigger than she was. She said Kornhauser continued to hug her from behind and then fondled her outside her clothing. She said she kept trying to leave, but Kornhauser continued to touch her breasts and buttocks.
The victim said she was very scared and Kornhauser then grabbed her face with his hand, turned her head toward him and kissed her on the lips. She said she jerked away from him and was able to leave the store. She told police she never gave Kornhauser permission to do this to her and it had frightened her very badly.
Police then spoke to Kornhauser at his business. Kornhauser said the victim came into the store in the past, but he hasn’t seen her for a while. Kornhauser told police that as the victim came into the store, he hugged her and kissed her twice on the lips.
He told police that he was from Israel and he often will greet friends by hugging and giving them a kiss. He said this is how people greet friends in his culture. He said those who don’t want to be kissed will turn their heads or say “no.”
When asked by police if Kornhauser did this with all his customers, Kornhauser said some of them who are his friends.
Kornhauser said the victim ordered coffee and a doughnut, then sat at a small table and he sat with her and talked for a little bit.
Kornhauser said the victim told him she had to meet a friend. Kornhauser said he hugged the victim again and gave her two kisses on the lips. Kornhauser told police he did not remember having touched the victim’s breasts.
When asked by police if he ever made any comments about the victim’s buttocks, Kornhauser said that he had slapped the victim on the buttocks and made a comment that she had a nice rear end.
When asked by police if he ever did this to any of his other customers, Kornhauser said no and that he didn’t want to hurt anyone or cause trouble. Kornhauser also said that if the victim had told him to stop or that she didn’t like it, he would have stopped.