A London man has been charged after two school-aged girls reported being followed by a man in a vehicle last week.
London police were called about a suspicious person in the area of Southcrest Drive and Base Line Road West around 2:30 p.m. on June 16. A man in a red Mitsubishi SUV was reportedly watching and following a girl riding a bicycle in the neighbourhood, police said.
Despite being provided a description of the man and the vehicle, officers were unable to locate a suspect. The investigation was turned over to the police major crime section.
Four days later around 8 p.m., police were contacted about a man matching the description of the suspect in the suspicious person investigation, also driving a red Mitsubishi SUV, watching and following another school-aged girl riding a scooter in the area of Andover Drive and Viscount Road.
A 48-year-old man was arrested last Friday in connection with the incidents. He was taken into custody in the area of Highview Avenue East and Wharncliffe Road South.
Johannes Wilhelmus Laning is charged with two counts each of criminal harassment by watching and besetting and breach of probation. He remained in custody and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
A man with the same name was arrested and charged with criminal harassment in May 2020 after a man in a black Toyota Matrix reportedly followed school-aged girls on several occasions.
Police believe there may be additional victims and are encouraging anyone with information to call them at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
