Man accused of assaulting job applicant

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The manager of a popular Greenwood pancake house is facing charges for turning a job interview into a crime.

Thursday morning, the Johnson County Prosecutor issued a warrant to arrest 55-year-old Haris "Bob" Philis. Greenwood police said Philis sexually assaulted a woman applying for a job at Sophia's House of Pancakes.

Johnson County Prosecutor Brad Cooper said Philis was interviewing the potential employee back in March.

According to the probable cause affidavit, when Philis gave the woman a tour of the restaurant, he "unexpectedly grabbed her" and continued to sexually assault her. The victim said she told Philis to stop.

Court documents show Philis later admitted to police, "(The victim) said 'no' a couple of times but he did not think she was serious."

"Whenever you have someone in a position of authority trying to use it for sexual purposes, it's always disturbing," said Cooper.

Police said Philis repeatedly called the victim after the incident. He said he wanted to take her out to dinner so he could prove that he wasn't a bad guy.

The affidavit goes on to say, when Philis spoke with both the victim and police, he said, "He takes full responsibility and feels sick over what happened."

The prosecutor said he has no reason to believe Philis has ever done something like this before. In fact, until now, he's never been charged with a crime.

Philis has not been arrested in the case. The only address police have for him is in Lake County.

Philis is charged with sexual battery, criminal confinement and public indecency.