A Conestoga man who lied to children at a bus stop to lure them into his vehicle is now in prison. Southern Regional Police say Ronald C. Usner, Jr., told the children he had spoken to their parents and they were allowed to wait for the bus in his car with him. An alert babysitter caught Usner in the act on March 17th. She confronted him when she saw him talking to a five year-old girl she was watching. Usner told the babysitter that he had permission from the girl’s father to have her wait in his vehicle for the bus. The girl got on the bus that morning without incident. Usner then went to the babysitter’s home to further discuss the issue. Police say he was wearing boxer shorts a T-shirt and slippers.
The babysitter called the police.
Police learned that Usner did get the five year-old girl, as well two other girls, ages eight and ten, into his vehicle at the bus stop on at least two other occassions. He told police that he had spoken with their parents and it was ‘OK.’
The police investigation revealed that he had not spoken with any parents and that he had lied to the victims to get them into his vehicle. None of the victims reported anything illegal occurring while in the vehicle, but they did say they felt uneasy and scared. The investigation also revealed Usner has a suspended driver’s license due to a previous DUI.
Police arrested Usner Wednesday and charged him with three counts of Luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure. This charge is a Felony of the 2nd degree because the ages of the children are under 13.
He was also charged with Driving with a Suspended License. A felony warrant was obtained and he was taken into custody later that evening at the Southern Regional Police Department.
He was taken to the Lancaster County Prison on $350,000 bail.
The Southern Regional Police Department would like to thank the staff at Lancaster County Children’s Alliance, for their assistance in the investigation.