text: A man who dresses as the Cookie Monster to greet visitors to New York's Times Square was arrested for allegedly groping a teenager. Ranulfo Perez, 48, was arrested by police  after he allegedly groped the breasts of a 16-year-old girl who was outside a Toys R Us store as she was shown round with her tour group. However he was later released by the Manhattan District Attorney over concerns that the teenager lost sight of her attacker and could not be sure it was Perez. The incident is the latest involving people dressed up as costumed characters in Times Square, amid claims of sexual harassment and disorder. Scroll down for video . A man who dresses as the Cookie Monster and greets visitors to Times Square was arrested for allegedly groping a 16-year-old and then freed after police could not be sure it was him. Officials said the number of costumed characters in the area, like those pictured, are becoming an increasing problem in New York . The girl had claimed she was grabbed in a hug by a man dressed as the Cookie Monster who then touched her breasts. Perez was arrested at the scene, and charged with forcible touching in a manner injurious to a child less than 17, as well as second degree harassment, gothamist reported. The incident took place at about 5.30pm on Sunday. He was released on Tuesday morning as police confirmed they would not be prosecuting the case. The teenage girl, who was visiting from Winsconsin, told the New York Post: 'I am beyond upset about it. My level of anger right now isn't just about being molested. The fact that the Manhattan DA is 100 percent OK with it is utterly disgusting.' Perez told the newspaper that officers, who arrested him on Monday, had got the wrong Cookie Monster. He said: 'I love people and I love children . . . It could have been anyone else, but not me.' In recent years there has been a rise in the number of people dressing up in costumes as characters from popular television shows in Times Square, leading to calls for them to be regulated and forced to apply for a licence costing $175. In 2012 a man dressed as Elmo was arrested in Times Square following a loud verbal exchange . Rosa Sanchez, 36, pictured here dressed as Elmo, was arrested for aggressive panhandling . Costumed characters are a regular appearance in Times Square, with a number demanding tips . The characters are becoming renowned for causing disturbances in their interaction with members of the public and a crackdown on the issue has been dubbed Operation Sesame Street. Police have recently been distributing flyers reminding people that they do not have to pay to pose with the characters, following a number of incidents. Almost 20 costumed characters were arrested last year for a catalogue of offences. A man who dresses as Elmo from Sesame Street has been arrested several times for disorderly conduct for making anti-semitic remarks to passersby. Last year Rosa Sanchez, 36, from New Jersey, was taken into custody Tuesday for allegedly demanding tips in an aggressive manner from passersby while dressed as Elmo. More people are dressing up as the Cookie Monster (left), Woody from Toy Story (centre) and Elmo (right) Also in 2014 a man dressed as Toy Story hero Woody was arrested after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman by grabbing her buttocks. Several other costumed panhandlers were also arrested - in July, a man dressed as Spider-Man was charged with punching a police officer who intervened in a tipping dispute with a tourist. Three more men dressed as Spider-Man, Iron Man and Elmo were arrested that same weekend and charged with disorderly conduct for obstructing pedestrian traffic. In 2013 a different man dressed as the Cookie Monster was held by police over claims he had shoved a toddler.
target: A man dressed as the Cookie Monster in Times Square was arrested .
  Ranulfo Perez was accused of aggressively hugging a 16-year-old girl and then 'forcibly' touching her breasts outside a Toys R Us store .
  But he was released and police said they would not be prosecuting because they could not be sure teenager had identified correct man .
  Perez protested his innocence and said it 'could have been anyone'