WEBSTER — A community event turned into a criminal investigation on Oct. 25 when a juvenile male reported being approached by a man with questionable intentions near Jimmy’s Convenience Store.
During the annual Main Street Trick or Treat event, which drew hundreds to the festive thoroughfare, Lieutenant Gordon Wentworth of the Webster Police Department was crossing pedestrians around 4 p.m. when the 15-year-old approached him.
The teen recounted being solicited by John Kelley, 59, who asked him inappropriate questions and invited him to meet later that evening.
The quick-thinking juvenile recorded their interaction and the suspect’s license plate, leading to the identification of Kelley’s vehicle registered to his Dudley address.
South Worcester County Communication Center broadcast the information to Webster and Dudley Police Departments.
Sergeant Phil Megas of the Dudley Police located Kelley and his vehicle at his residence on Fourth Avenue.
Lieutenant Wentworth and Detective Tim Whiting conducted a preliminary interview with Kelley, who admitted to the conversation and subsequent phone contact with the boy.
Further investigation revealed Kelley’s intention to lure the juvenile into his car for a sexual encounter.
He also committed assault and battery by making inappropriate physical contact during a handshake with the teen.
Kelley was arrested and charged with enticement of a child under 16 for sex or violence, and assault and battery.
His bail was set at $5,000 and remained unchanged following his arraignment on Oct. 28.
Webster Police urge anyone with similar encounters involving Kelley to contact their detectives at 508-949-3874.
