Police locate W.Va. man accused of attempted assault at Route 21 produce stand
A 72-year old West Virginia man was charged Tuesday with attempting to indecently assault a woman last week at a produce stand at Route 21 and Elm Drive in Franklin Township.
John P. Chisler of Blacksville was charged by state police with criminal attempt to commit indecent assault and two counts of harassment.
Police said they were led to Chisler after issuing a description of a man with a prosthetic arm wanted in connection with the incident to local media Friday and receiving several tips of his possible identity during the weekend.
Chisler pulled into the parking area of the produce stand about 2 p.m. Aug. 26 and waved the clerk over to his pickup truck, police said. He began talking to the woman and took her hand. He eventually kissed the woman’s hand several times and kissed her once on the head.
After going to help another customer, the woman said Chisler again waved her over to his truck. He began talking about sex and asked her if she was married and whether she would cheat on her husband.
The woman said she observed Chisler touching himself. He then reached toward her and asked if he could touch her breast. The woman backed away and told him it was time for him to leave.
Police issued a news release Friday saying they were looking for a man with a prosthetic arm, possibly in his 70s with a thin build, short salt and pepper hair and a small jaw-line beard.
His truck was described as full-sized pickup with an extended cab. It was dark green, and on its driver’s side, rear fender had a black, bucking bronco emblem or decal.
Police said they went to Chisler’s house Monday and a black pickup with a silver horse emblem on the driver’s side was parked in the driveway. Police said Chisler fit the description given by the clerk. He also admitted he had attempted to touch the woman’s breast, police said.
Chisler’s preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30, before District Judge Glenn Bates.