Ridley Park man arrested for stalking Leedom woman

A Ridley Park man has been charged with following a Leedom woman while she was walking her dog on Monday.

Ridley Township police have filed charges against 66-year-old Richard Pinnock after a woman contacted them at 5:43 p.m. and reported she was followed and attacked by a man while she was walking in the area of ​​600 Clymer Lane, according to Ridley Township police Lt. John Hamill.

The woman, described by police as “very upset and visibly shaken,” said she was walking along the sidewalk when a white van came out of an alley and blocked the sidewalk.

The victim, who is in his 20s, said she didn't think anything of it at first and was walking between parked cars when the driver got out and told her to come to him. She said no and he grabbed her arm. She pulled away and then he grabbed her arm again.

She drove off, fleeing from the man and called the police. She gave them a description of the man, who she said was in his 60s, and the van was described as a dirty white work van.

According to witnesses, the van appeared to have been driving around the area before the incident.

Police searched the area for the suspect and found the van and driver, who the victim then positively identified.

Police towed the van as part of the investigation and charged Pinnock with stalking, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, harassment, following in a public place and disorderly conduct.

Hamill said Pinnock had no police record.

In a social media post, police said this is believed to be an isolated incident. Anyone with additional information or video surveillance that may have captured the incident should contact Detective Tancredi at 610-532-4002 extension 214 or [email protected].

Pinnock was arraigned before District Judge Lee Cullen Grimes, who set bail at 10% of $40,000, which Pinnock paid. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in District Judge George Dawson's courtroom on September 16.

Pinnock's attorney, Daniel McGarrigle, said he had no comment on the alleged incident and looked forward to arguing the case in court.

Originally published: August 24, 2024 at 1:35 p.m.