Registered sex offenders arrested near McDonald's playground, police say

Two registered sex offenders were arrested Saturday near a Tennessee McDonald's, police said.

According to a police report, a manager at a Memphis McDonald's, located in the 3300 block of Austin Peay Highway, called police about 4 p.m. Saturday.

The manager said she believed a registered sex offender was sitting next to the indoor playground at McDonald's staring at children who were playing.

She told officers the registered sex offender, Robert Lee Collier, was caught on camera the previous day inside the playground area, according to the report.

When officers arrived at the McDonald's, Collier and another known sex offender, Morris Johnson, were both sitting next to the indoor playground where approximately three children were actively playing, police said.

Collier and Johnson were arrested for being within 1,000 feet of a playground where children were present, police said. Both men were transported to the Felony Response Bureau.

This isn't the first time Collier has been arrested. Back in May 2018, he was accused of exposing himself to an 11-year-old child at the Wolfchase Galleria, police said.

Police told WHBQ that the child was trying to leave the bathroom when Collier allegedly grabbed his arm and neck. Officers said Collier pulled down his pants and exposed himself to the victim.

Memphis police said his mother heard him and responded.

According to the Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry, Collier was placed on the registry for criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery on May 19, 2018.

Morris Johnson also placed on the registry for criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery on Feb. 15, 2003.

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