Phoenix Police Arrest Woman for 'Squeezing and Twisting' TSA Officer's Breast
Woman faces felony charges of sexual abuse.
July 17, 2011 — -- Phoenix police arrested a 61-year-old Colorado woman for allegedly grabbing the left breast of a Transportation Security Administration officer with both hands and "squeezing and twisting" it at Sky Harbor Airport.
Police say Yukari Mihamae refused to go through the TSA screening Thursday and began arguing with officers, which led to the alleged grope.
According to the police report, Mihamae is accused of grabbing TSA agent Barbara O'Toole's "left breast through her clothing and squeezing and twisting it with both hands without the victim's permission," the New York Post reported.
The alleged grope occurred in Terminal 4 at Checkpoint D, according to police, who arrived and arrested Mihamae on felony sexual assault charges.
"At approximately 3:30 p.m. an adult female entered the screening area in Terminal 4 checkpoint 'D'. The female became argumentative and refused to be screened by TSA staff. During the argument the suspect ... grabbed the breast of the TSA employee," said Sgt. Steve Martos of the Phoenix Police Department.
Police say Mihamae admitted to grabbing O'Toole.
"Phoenix Police officers were summoned and investigated this incident," Martos said. "The suspect admitted to grabbing the TSA agent and continued being argumentative. Yukari was arrested and booked into jail."
"I do not have information that she resisted arrest," Martos added.
"TSA officers work every day to protect the traveling public, and the agency will not tolerate assaults against its workforce," said a TSA spokesman, according to ABC News affiliate KNXV-TV in Phoenix.
Mihamae spent the night at Maricopa County jail, and was released from custody on Friday.
Facebook groups have already been created to help the alleged breast grabber.
In the group "Acquit Yukari Mihamae," one member commented, "She's a modern day Rosa Parks, standing up to 'Authority'!" Others are setting up a legal defense fund to help Mihamae.