Perkasie Luring Suspect Is Lured Into Custody Himself
- Original The Morning Call article: Perkasie Luring Suspect Is Lured Into Custody Himself
To catch a Berks County man accused of trying to lure a 16-year-old girl into his truck on July 2, Perkasie police had to do a little luring of their own.
Officers spoke to employees at the Sellersville business where their chief suspect had parked his truck, got a phone number for a man the workers knew only as ''Devon,'' and enticed him back to the business where he had been foraging in a trash container for scrap metal.
When Lakeram Mohabeer returned to Sellersville, detectives confronted him and, according to charging papers, he admitted to twice asking the girl for cigarettes, offering her a ride, and telling her ''you are beautiful'' after running into her a third time.
The girl told police Mohabeer went much further, repeatedly asking her if she wanted to earn $100 and grabbing her arm before she could get away.
Mohabeer, 32, of 400 Colonial Court, Blandon, was arrested and charged Thursday with stalking and harassment and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
According to court papers, the girl told police she first encountered Mohabeer standing on Diamond Street in Sellersville, where he said ''hello.'' She said ''hi'' and kept walking.
Minutes later, Mohabeer, now driving his truck, pulled up next to her on N. Main Street and asked her if she smoked. She said no and continued to walk, entering Lenape Park and walking on the bike path toward Perkasie, the girl told police.
Mohabeer then approached her from behind, again on foot, and again asked her if she smoked. She said no, according to charging documents, and Mohabeer then asked her repeatedly if she wanted to make $100, even as she turned him down.
Finally, she told police, Mohabeer asked her for a hug and if she needed a ride. When she told him no, that she needed to meet a friend, Mohabeer reached out and grabbed her arm, but she managed to get away and called police.
Police in the Pennridge area have been investigating two reports of attempted child luring incidents in June in West Rockhill Township and Perkasie.
Perkasie Police Chief Joseph Gura Jr. said Friday that he doesn't think Mohabeer has anything to do with the other incidents.
''We are not considering it part of that because there are some things that are not similar,'' Gura said. Both involved two men in different vehicles.
Mohabeer was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Philip Daly and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
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