LISBON – A 50-year-old registered sex offender was arrested after police said he tried several times Monday afternoon to get a 9-year-old girl into his vehicle in downtown Lisbon Falls by offering her money.
John G. Garshva of 72 River Road in Topsham is charged with stalking and operating under the influence, according to Detective Bernard McAllister. He was arrested by Sgt. Scott Stewart and taken to Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn, where bail was set at $20,000 cash.
McAllister said officer Ryan McGee and Sgt. Stewart responded to the area where neighbors reported seeing a man approach a girl numerous times Monday afternoon.
“Garshva attempted to get the girl into his vehicle by offering her money,” McAllister said. The incident was also witnessed by a teenage boy, he added.
McAllister credited “good work by neighbors reporting an incident and a fast response by police” with Garshva being caught.
Garshva is listed on the Maine Sex Offender Registry Web site as having been convicted in Massachusetts for indecent assault and battery, assault with intent to commit rape and open and gross lewd and lascivious behavior three times from 1989 and 1994, McAllister said.
The investigation is continuing, and McAllister is asking that anyone with additional information to contact him at 353-2500.
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