UPDATE: Ralph J. Mitchell Jr. charged in Christmas party groping

A 60-year-old Georgetown man was charged with unlawful sexual contact after police say he touched a coworker inappropriately during a Christmas party.

The two were sitting across from each other at Smitty McGee's Restaurant in Selbyville Dec. 15 when Ralph J. Mitchell Jr. reached across the table and touched a 42-year-old woman, said Sgt. Paul Shavack of the Delaware State Police.

According to court documents, several coworkers were talking when Mitchell stood up and put his hand into the woman's cleavage. She was so alarmed that she pulled out a pocket knife and yelled at him to never touch her again, documents state.

Witnesses told police they were caught off guard by the incident. Conversation leading up to the incident was not sexual in nature and did not involve the victim's breasts, court documents state.

The woman left the party and later filed a police complaint.

Mitchell turned himself in to police Dec. 17 and was charged with third-degree unlawful sexual contact, a misdemeanor. He was released on $500 unsecured bond.

Mitchell was the public safety director for the Town of Bethany Beach but resigned Dec. 19, said Town Manager Clifford Graviet.

Mitchell had worked for the town for 11 years.