MESA, Ariz. — Authorities say a golf cart repairman is facing criminal charges for allegedly exposing himself and inappropriately touching residents in a Mesa community.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said John Grefe, 72, is accused of groping residents in the Leisure World Community while fixing their golf carts.
A woman who lives in the community said she is one of the five women who spoke with authorities. "It was a disgusting feeling," she said. "I didn’t know what I did to deserve that kind of behavior, that kind of treatment.”
The resident asked to remain anonymous, fearing for her safety. She claims she has known the suspect for years. “Many of us know him as the guy you go to to get your golf cart fixed.” It was just a few months ago when she asked him to repair hers. “Unfortunately, he made some very inappropriate comments while he was in my garage.”
She tried not to think about it but said Grefe didn't stop there. She said, "He hugged me and touched me inappropriately." That wasn't the last time she said it happened. Grefe returned to her home after she said her golf cart still wasn't fixed.
“I thought it would be okay," she said. "I didn’t think he would take it any further but he did. That’s when he came back the second time and pulled his pants down and showed me his body parts.”
At first, she didn't tell the police, but after speaking with another resident who made the same allegations against the suspect, she contacted law enforcement.
In April, MCSO began investigating accusations involving Grefe, known in Leisure World for offering to fix golf carts for free.
MCSO said multiple people accused Grefe of making unwanted sexual comments or touching them inappropriately while repairing their golf carts.
Grefe is facing eight counts of sexual abuse and two counts of indecent exposure.
Leisure World has more than 2,000 homes and multiple golf courses near the Superstition Mountains.
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