Florida man with criminal past accused of stalking 2 girls
02/11/2022 11:53 am PST
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (TCD) -- A 55-year-old man was arrested earlier this week for allegedly stalking two girls who went running for help.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, Feb. 10, at approximately 7 p.m., deputies responded to a Circle K gas station on New York Avenue outside DeLand after two girls ran into the store and "were so scared they couldn’t speak."
The two girls reportedly handed over a cellphone to an employee with their mother on the line. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the girls were fleeing from Kevin Rich. The girls reportedly waited behind the counter until authorities arrived. Rich’s tag number on his gray car was spotted by a witness outside one of the gas pumps, the Sheriff’s Office says.
Upon further investigation, the Sheriff’s Office says the victims bought drinks at the Circle K and walked south when they realized that Rich’s car was pulling over next to them. Rich reportedly said something to the girls as he passed and sped away. Rich then allegedly turned around and followed them. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the girls said Rich tried to speak to them again, and they ran back to the store and dropped their drinks and money in the process.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office says they found Rich’s car at another store on International Speedway Boulevard in DeLand. When authorities approached Rich, he reportedly asked, "Is this about the two girls from earlier?"
When interviewed, the Sheriff’s Office says Rich told deputies he pulled over to smoke crack and masturbate, denying the stalking allegations.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Rich has a criminal history, including 24 prior felony charges and 16 prior misdemeanors, none of which are sex offenses or stalking charges.
Rich was reportedly arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated stalking of a minor and two counts of attempted lewd or lascivious exhibition to a minor. As of Friday, Feb. 11, the Sheriff’s Office says Rich remains held in the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.
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