UPDATE: Jan. 25, 3:39 p.m. - North Penn Now has learned that Suzanne Pedersen died on Dec. 13 after a brief stay on hospice. As such, all charges against Pedersen are being withdrawn.
Suzanne Pedersen, 78, has been charged with stalking, open lewdness and harassment, in connection with a series of incidents between herself and her neighbors, according to court records. She is currently free on $1,000 unsecured bail.
Police said they were dispatched to a home in the borough on June 17 for a report of an older woman who was walking around her yard naked from the waist down. Arriving officers observed the semi-nude woman — identified as Pedersen — however she retreated into her home and refused to speak with investigators, police said.
Pedersen’s nude incident occurred in full view of her neighbors, including their young children, police said.
Prior to the incident on June 17, neighbors said that Pedersen had shouted obscenities and banged on their fence more than a dozen times due to their children playing in their backyard while Pedersen was tending to the garden in her own yard, according to the criminal complaint. As a result of the ongoing incidents, the neighbors said they no longer permit their children to play in front of their home or in their adjoining back yards out of fear of “setting Pedersen off,” police said.
North Wales Borough Police Chief Michael Eves said that Pedersen has been repeatedly warned to cease that type of behavior, and they have resorted to placing Pedersen under an involuntary emergency mental health evaluation on three separate occasions, but to no avail.
Pedersen has also been cited three times this year for her dog being off leash, according to court records. Eves explained to North Penn Now that Pedersen frequently lets her dog off leash to use the neighbors' lawns to go to bathroom, which has furthered the ongoing dispute and led to the off leash citations.
“I’ve 302ed her three times, each time she’s out in a week and back at it,” said Eves. “So here I am, charging a 78-year-old woman with violations of the crimes code. I’m out of options.”
The three charges stemming from the June 17 incident were officially filed on June 22, though Pedersen was not arraigned on those charges until 9:30 a.m. on July 6. Her next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Aug. 5 at noon in front of District Judge Suzan Leonard.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Montgomery Township Man Charged After Attacking Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Police Say
Man Accused Of Stealing Multiple North Penn Area Identities, Cashing $31,000 In Fraudulent Checks
One Towamencin Officer Injured After Man Speeds Off From Traffic Stop, Police Say
Lacrosse Coach Accused Of Punching North Penn Student Athlete Identified, Charged With Harassment
