The Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 11:20 a.m. on May 12 about an alleged sexual assault at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store, located at 1059 Commonwealth Blvd. in Martinsville.
Henry County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the store a short time later and made contact with the victim, who was identified as an employee at Lowe’s.
While the employee was working, a man allegedly approached the employee and began speaking with them. After a short conversation, the man allegedly touched the employee inappropriately and made sexual remarks. Deputies worked with officers from the Martinsville Police Department to quickly identify the man.
At 4 p.m., Malvester Penn III, 42, of 1004 Independence Dr., Martinsville was charged with sexual assault in connection with the incident. Penn also was trespassed from the business.
Penn received a $2,000 secure bond.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-Crime (632-7463).