Man busted for stalking teen social media star in Radnor
RADNOR » It started about three weeks ago.
A suspected stalker showed up Tuesday at the home of an 18-year-year old Radnor teenager, who is popular on YouTube and Instagram and boasts thousands of followers. His YouTube videos show the handsome young man commenting on music and other topics.
The suspected stalker, a 30-year-old man from Plymouth City, Mich., had previously contacted James Neese, trying to meet him personally, police said.
“It’s not unusual to have back and forth” with social media followers, said Deputy Superintendent Chris Flanagan. The teenage star has followers from around the United States.
On Oct. 25, the stalker came to the family’s Berwind Road house and knocked on the door. When the teen’s mother answered, he told her that he was her son’s friend. They called the police and the stalker fled.
“The guy takes off,” said Flanagan. “We don’t find him.”
Then, on Nov. 7, the man came to the teenager’s house again at about 11 a.m. and once again “took off before police got there,” Flanagan said.
“He leaves,” said Flanagan. “They call 911.”
The police were with the family when the stalker texted the young man, whose phone was being used by the police at that point.
“We took over the kid’s phone and lured (the suspect) back to the property,” said Flanagan.
“He sent a message to the victim to open the garage door,” said Detective James Santoliquito. At that point, Santoliquito told patrol officers to respond and they saw silver Jeep Grand Cherokee with Michigan plates parked in front of the Radnor home. The officers arrested the driver, Michael Leib. Leib was charged with harassment, stalking and terroristic threats. District Justice Lee Hunter ordered Leib held in jail in lieu of 10 percent of $20,000 bail. He also required a psychiatric evaluation, said Santoliquito.
“Our main purpose is the safety of the victim and if (the stalker) was still in the area,” said Santoliquito. They wanted to apprehend the stalker and find out who it was, he said. They already had enough evidence to arrest him, he said. Leib told them that he knew the victim was 18.
The incident is a cautionary tale for parents and teenagers regarding social media use, said Santoliquito.
“The patrol guys did a great job following up,” Santoliquito said. If the Radnor police hadn’t arrested Leib, “who knows what could happen? It’s more concerning that (he was) willing to drive that far, nine hours, to have contact with that individual.”