TEXARKANA, Texas -- A 79-year-old man has been arrested on charges of indecency with a child and solicitation of prostitution after being reported by employees at a local restaurant.
Michael Clark is being held in Bi-State Detention Center. Bail is set at $225,000.
Police received a 911 call from the employees at Whataburger on New Boston Road a little before noon Tuesday.
"They told us that a juvenile girl and an older man were there eating together and something didn't seem right about the situation," said Shawn Vaughn, spokesman for Texarkana Texas Police Department.
"As we started trying to figure out what was going on, it became increasingly obvious that their instincts were spot on," Vaughn said.
The 13-year-old girl reportedly told police Clark had offered her money in exchange for sexual favors that day and had inappropriately touched her a few weeks earlier. He allegedly picked up the girl in his truck as she walked down the street just before they went to the Whataburger.
After interviewing everyone involved, Detective Cliff Harris obtained warrants for Clark.
"This is just another example of why it's so important to speak up if you notice something that doesn't feel right. We're thankful the Whataburger employees followed their instincts in this case and said something," Vaughn said.