BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) — A Bensalem business owner has been charged with indecent assault and harassment after police say multiple employees reported years of inappropriate behavior at his bagel shop.<\/p>\n
Police said there are at least three victims, and investigators believe there may be more.<\/p>\n
A summons was mailed to 59-year-old Larry Ferreira, the owner of Bagelocity Soup King on Bensalem Boulevard.<\/p>\n
“He was in a position of trust, and unfortunately, he violated that trust,” said Sgt. Glenn Vandegrift, the Bensalem Township police public information officer.<\/p>\n
According to police, employees reported that Ferreira engaged in verbal abuse and unwanted physical contact.<\/p>\n
“Apparently, he was treating them poorly, yelling at them, cursing at them,” Vandegrift said. “One of the employees was actually smacked on the buttocks a couple of different times, and even one time, causing redness and soreness to that employee. It was so hard.”<\/p>\n
A criminal complaint states a former employee reported sexual harassment and verbal abuse to Ferreira’s wife and business partner before quitting in 2025. Vandegrift said the victim later went to police, prompting an investigation that began in January. Detectives then identified two additional victims who reported similar misconduct in 2023.<\/p>\n
“I believe employees were fearful that if they said anything, they may lose their jobs, and they need their jobs to pay the bills,” Vandegrift said.<\/p>\n
Next door to the restaurant, Salon Trilogy employee Melissa Carroll said the allegations are troubling.<\/p>\n
“I think a young innocent girl should never subject themselves to be — if it’s true — in an abusive situation like that at work,” she said. “It’s a little surprising that’s going on next to where we work and it’s sad.”<\/p>\n
When Action News visited Ferreira’s home Thursday seeking comment, someone closed the door.<\/p>\n
The complaint states Ferreira told detectives he smacks employees and they smack him, describing the behavior as a “two-way street.”<\/p>\n
“If he’s been doing this over a long period of time, we want him to be held accountable for his actions over this time,” Vandegrift said. “All we really want is people to feel safe at the workplace, and that’s what this is all about.”<\/p>\n
Police said the investigation remains active and urged any additional victims to come forward. They also noted that last year, a 34-year-old male employee was arrested outside Bagelocity in an unrelated case and is facing child sex abuse charges.<\/p>\n
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