UPDATE: Feb. 14, 1:53 p.m. – Montgomery Township Police Chief Scott Bendig has released more information regarding the nature of the incidents.
According to Bendig, the suspect followed two female victims at two separate times as they shopped in Target, but no conversations occurred. Bendig added that the suspect had no prior relation to either victim, and he described the incidents as an “opportunistic visual encounter by the subject.”
“The subject does not know the identity of either of the victims,” said Bendig. “The subject is no longer welcome in the store, and will be arrested for defiant trespass should he return.”
Regarding requests for release of the subject’s identity, Bendig said that they do not take mugshots for people who are issued citations, and that he’s apprehensive about releasing the subject’s name, age and town of residence due to the subject’s opportunity to request a hearing on the charges.
Original story follows…
Montgomery Township Police Chief Scott Bendig has informed North Penn Now that they have identified the suspicious person involved in a pair of incidents at the Montgomeryville Target.
“The individual involved in those incidents has been identified,” said Bendig. “After a thorough investigation, he has been issued harassment (Title 18 section 2709 (a)(2)) citations for two separate incidents.”
The investigation began in late January, following a post by a concerned woman on Facebook documenting her encounter with the suspect. The post, which was shared more than 1,000 times, reads in part:
“This man followed the kids and I around Target for 10 minutes. He was hiding in aisles waiting for us to walk past him, he continued to stare at us and follow every step. I kept stopping and keeping the kids close and he wouldn’t know where to go. I then stopped and didn’t move—he walked towards the front of the store and looked back at me while I took his picture. I then alerted a manager, asked to be escorted out and saw a gold Ford Taurus in the back of the lot with their lights on. As I was getting in the car, the gold Taurus drove past my car. I know this was him.”
The post also had a photo of the subject attached, which North Penn Now has decided against publishing.
Police became aware of the post via a report from a third party, but the author of the post would later file a report at the police station.
“An investigation was initiated and is currently ongoing,” said Bendig, following the initial report. “We would ask if there are any additional victims, that they contact our department at 215-362-2301 and speak with Officer Shearer."
Bendig also stated that should an incident like this arise, the best course of action would be to call 9-1-1.
“While the Montgomery Township Police Department actively engages the public on several social media platforms, it is always best to contact police immediately via 9-1-1 should they observe any suspicious or criminal behavior,” said Bendig. ”Contacting 9-1-1 will ensure a rapid police response and provides the police department with the best opportunity to effectively investigate incidents.”
Police have not released the man’s name or information at this time.
See also:
Hatfield Man Charged With Repeatedly Beating Girlfriend’s Son [UPDATED]
Attorney General’s Child Predator Sting Leads to Arrest of Local Man
Investigations Into Stabbing Incident, Suspicious Death Continue In Lansdale
Crews Fighting Two-Alarm Blaze at Shop in Colmar
Local Man Listed Among Sheriff’s Most Wanted
