Man in custody after allegedly grabbing arm of girl waiting for school bus in Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. (WPVI) -- A 36-year-old Norristown man has been taken into custody after allegedly grabbing a high school student's arm while she waited for her school bus.

The incident happened around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Swedesburg section of Upper Merion Township.

According to Superintendent Dr. Tamara Thomas Smith, the student said she was approached by a man who grabbed her arm while she waited at the bus stop.

"We heard screaming and crying coming from the corner of my street," recalled neighbor Nicole Yacovetti. "My neighbor came out, and we tried to console this girl. I don't know who she was. She was just crying, saying, 'Somebody tried to take my little sister.'"

The student was able to get away and immediately called her mother, who came to the bus stop. She later identified the man, who was taken into custody.

"We are proud of our student for her quick and decisive actions," Smith said.

News of the incident came as a shock to residents in the area near Bridgeport.

"That doesn't happen in this area. It's not like that around here. It's pretty quiet," said Chuck Dinolfi of Upper Merion.

Upper Merion police haven't identified the man but say he's being charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and harassment. He remains behind bars on Tuesday night after being unable to post bail.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Upper Merion Investigations Division at 610-265-3232.