By: Richard L. Smith
A New Jersey man is facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania after authorities say he inappropriately touched a woman wearing an Easter Bunny costume at a shopping mall.
Mr. Shivakrishna Bera, 36, of Jersey City, has been charged with indecent assault and harassment, according to court records.
He is currently being held at the Allegheny County Jail after failing to post $10,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 2.
According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred on March 23 at South Hills Village Mall in Upper St. Clair, where the victim was working as an Easter Bunny performer taking photos with children and families.
Authorities say Bera approached the performer and began asking questions.
When the victim directed him to speak with her assistant, he allegedly refused and proceeded to touch her arm and chest before grabbing her breasts.
The assistant told investigators that Bera also made inappropriate comments, including asking about the performer’s gender, and reportedly inserted his fingers into the nose and mouth area of the costume.
Police later used surveillance footage to identify Bera and located him sleeping inside a nearby movie theater, where he was taken into custody.
According to reports, after his arrest, Bera questioned officers, asking if the Easter Bunny was “a doll.” 
When informed that a person was inside the costume, he allegedly responded that any contact was accidental if the performer was a woman.
The investigation remains ongoing.