Modern Family Star Sarah Hyland Says She Was Groped By Fan

Sarah Hyland says she was groped by a fan at a party in Australia where the Modern Family cast is shooting an episode of the show. INSIDE EDITION has the details.

Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland ran off in tears from a party after she says she was groped by a  fan.

Hyland and the rest of the Modern Family cast are in Australia filming episodes of the ABC hit. They were attending a party in downtown Sydney that allowed fans get up close to the popular stars. That's when Hyland says she was suddenly groped.

A 29-year-old man was arrested after allegedly grabbing her breast as he posed for a photo with the popular star, who plays ditzy Haley on the hit show.  

"Don't touch me there," she reportedly screamed at the man.

Mike Amor is an Australian TV journalist based in Los Angeles. He told INSIDE EDITION, "I think Australians would be mortified by this. They were excited to have the cast of Modern Family in Australia filming an episode. I think this goes to show that crazy doesn't have a nationality."

Hyland fled from the party crying. She tweeted an apology to those who came to the event who were hoping to meet her: "Sorry to all the fans that I didn't get a chance to say hi to but I had to leave due to an inappropriate touch of a fan."

Hyland's boyfriend, Matt Prokop, who is traveling with her in Australia, tweeted:  "To the [blank] who assaulted Sarah last night, I hope to God you don't see next week."

Security expert Steve Kardian worked with celebrities. He says it's difficult to protect stars when they're at these meet-n-greet events.

Kardian told INSIDE EDITION, "If it's a deranged individual, that's what the security personnel would be there for, to spot those type of people. To be able to not let them get into close proximity to her."

The cast of the show is in Austarlia shooting a special episode.