Michigan man arrested for allegedly stalking Radnor teen
RADNOR, Pa. (WPVI) -- Radnor police say a Michigan man has been charged with stalking a local YouTube star.
Thirty-year-old Michael Leib was arrested after police say he showed up outside the Radnor home of the 18-year-old.
Police say Leib had reached out to James Neese several times, expressing his desire to meet.
A knock on the door at the house immediately had the mother of the teenager concerned.
Police say Leib used a fake name, and told the mother he was her son's friend.
The suspicious mother called 911. Leib allegedly fled.
Radnor Police Deputy Commissioner Chris Flanagan said, "The suspect identified himself as Michael Dombrowski, saying he was a friend of the son. The mother was a little startled, closed the door and the subject ran away."
Police say Leib had been in contact with the alleged victim before the incident through social media, and told the 18-year-old he wanted to "hook up." The high school senior told his parents.
And then they "Started receiving unwanted and disturbing text messages" Deputy Comm. Flanagan said.
The alleged victim is James Neese. He is very popular on social media. He has 30k twitter followers, and 140k followers on Instagram.
And his YouTube channel has 19k subscribers. Police say his digital popularity caught the attention of Leib who drove from Michigan.
Police say the initial encounter at the home was on October 25. Leib allegedly returned on November 7, and had been in contact through Instagram.
"The families' personal accounts started receiving emails saying I am going to take your son quote unquote," Deputy Comm. Flanagan said.
Police say they took over the teen's phone and when Leib allegedly returned to the Radnor home, police arrested him without incident.
Investigators call the incident yet another cautionary tale.
"The popular you become, you have to take safety steps," added Deputy Comm. Flanagan.
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