Man accused of stalking girl, 13, in Hempfield Township neighborhood

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Hempfield Township man is facing charges after state police said he was stalking and making sexual comments to a 13-year-old girl at the school bus stop in his neighborhood.

Neighbors are stunned and disturbed. Several of them told Channel 11′s Antoinette DelBel they would see the man, Michael Thomas, 71, walk by the school bus stop with his German Shepard to talk to the kids before they got on the bus and would talk to them again when they got off the bus.

Neighbors, including Harold Johnson, who lives down the street from Thomas, said they didn’t suspect a thing.

“He would walk his dog. We would stop and talk forever,” Johnson said. “I cannot believe that it’s that guy.”

Investigators in the criminal complaint said over the past year, Thomas would walk by the bus stop at Hickory Drive and Laurel Drive and make inappropriate and sexual comments to the Wendover Middle School student as she waited for her bus.

“To think that this happened here. Nobody would think that,” Johnson said.

As recent as last Thursday, Oct. 17, Thomas allegedly told the girl she “looked hot.” Then, he gave her $20 saying, “I would like to see you suck on that lollipop.” Police said the girl had candy in her pocket at the time.

Court paperwork said Thomas admitted to state police that the comment was meant to be sexual because he was attracted to her.

“It just amazes me,” said Johnson. “I was just totally shocked because he seems to be such a nice guy and sometimes that’s what happens.”

The disturbing allegations surfaced after the girl told school officials.

Police caught and arrested Thomas on Friday when he showed up to the bus stop after it was moved by the school district because of the incident the day before.

An undercover trooper said he watched Thomas walk to the stop and appeared confused when he didn’t see the 13-year-old.

Channel 11 tried to get a comment from a woman at Thomas’ home but she told us she didn’t want to talk.

Neighbor Harold Johnson spent 40 years in law enforcement and shared some advice for parents.

“You have to be mindful,” he said. “I don’t care where you live. I don’t care how safe you think your neighborhood is. There’s always people out there that are on the prowl. Bottom line is watch your children. Keep an eye on them.”

Thomas is in jail and is expected to be in court for a hearing on Oct. 30.

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