Pennsylvania

Megan's Law Offender Leaves Rose-Petal Love Letters, Stalks Lehigh Valley Boy: Police

A convicted rapist stalked an Allentown, Pennsylvania boy for two years — leaving the boy love notes, rose petals and even moving into a small downtown apartment just to be close to the child, said police in the Lehigh Valley.

Crews on Thursday cleared out the small apartment where Clyde Ruppel lived.

Two days earlier, police arrested the 73-year-old and charged him with stalking and drug charges after a police investigation uncovered allegations of the elderly man stalking the boy.

Ruppel began stalking the boy, then 11, about two years ago, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by NBC10.

The victim told investigators that Ruppel left signed letters for him on his father’s windshield that invited the boy over for “all male nights” and had peach-colored rose petals attached to them, police said.

Court records indicate he tracked the boy for months including at least three recent occasions when the man slowly drove behind the boy as he walked home.

Ruppel was initially charged and released on public harassment charges last month before police launched a further investigation last week.

The boy’s father told police that he had repeatedly told Ruppel to stay away from his son multiple times over the past two years. Despite those requests, the man moved next door to the boy’s family and would watch him play outside leading to the father becoming fearful for his son, said police.

Ruppel has a history of sexual assault charges. He is listed on the state’s Megan’s Law website because of a 1996 rape conviction and two earlier indecent assault convictions --- the first from 1976.

Neighbors said he seemed a little off to them.

Police said that a search of Ruppel’s apartment revealed a marijuana grow operation that led to additional drug charges.

Ruppel remained behind bars Thursday unable to post 10 percent of $35,000 bail.

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