LISBON – Police said Tuesday that a convicted sex offender reportedly was riding around several neighborhoods for about an hour Monday afternoon before he was arrested on a charge of stalking a young girl.
Lisbon police Detective Bernard McAllister was in 8th District Court in Lewiston on Tuesday when 50-year-old John Garshva of 72 River Road in Topsham was arraigned on charges of stalking and operating under the influence. He pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $5,000 cash, the officer said. Garshva is scheduled to return to court Aug. 29, McAllister said.
Garshva is accused of trying to lure a 9-year-old girl into his car Monday afternoon in Lisbon Falls by offering her money. A resident reported his alleged actions to police, who apprehended him soon after.
Garshva is listed on the Maine Sex Offender Registry Web site as being convicted in Massachusetts of intent to commit rape, three charges of open and gross lewd and lascivious behavior and indecent assault and battery between 1989 and 1994.
The detective said he received several calls Tuesday from residents responding to a request for information included in the story of Garshva’s arrest in Tuesday’s Sun Journal.
McAllister said he was told that Garshva had been observed in several downtown Lisbon Falls neighborhoods Monday afternoon. He was riding up and down slowly past their homes for about an hour before he was apprehended by Officer Ryan McGee and Sgt. Scott Stewart at 5 p.m. The officers responded after a resident reported suspicious activity.
Police expect to wrap up their investigation soon and send a report to the District Attorney’s Office, McAllister said.
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