Man charged for allegedly groping two women outside Harpo’s

A Santa Monica, California man is charged after he allegedly groped two women as they were leaving Harpo’s in Columbia in September.

39-year-old Thomas Cox is charged with second degree sexual misconduct and third degree assault for the September 12 incident on 10th Street.

Court documents said Cox was standing inside the front door of Harpo’s when he reached out and grabbed a woman’s chest as she was walking out of the bar. He allegedly grabbed another woman’s hip as she left the bar behind the first woman.

Investigators said Cox refused to identify himself to officers and poses a danger to the victims because he did this to them in plain sight.

Investigators also said Cox tried to escape police custody when he was detained by moving his handcuffs from behind his back to the front. He also tried to kick out the window of a patrol vehicle.