Scotia Police: Alleged Child Stalker Caught and Identified

Update 5:37pm: Police have released this mugshot of 64 year old Craig Bemis of Delanson. NewsChannel 13 reports he is also a person of interest in a separate case involving a 17 year old girl.

There were reports from Scotia last week that a man in a white truck followed a young girl as she walked to school. According to the Daily Gazette, the man offered her a ride - not once, but twice.

It was first reported last Thursday (7/14), a 13 year old girl says she was approached by a man, first asking for directions, then offering her a ride to school. Both times she refused and both times he followed her. Luckily, she made it to school safely. She described the man as heavy set, white hair with a bushy beard, driving a white pickup truck loaded with junk. In addition, she said a 'foul odor' was coming from the truck.

Police eventually released the following security camera photos of what is believed to be the vehicle:

Village of Scotia Police

Based on the surveillance video, police were able to figure out who the man was. On Saturday, police arrested 64 year old Craig Bemis of Delanson. During his police interview he confirmed that he was in Scotia at the time of the incident, but said he was picking up someone for a job. He also admitted to asking someone for directions, but said he believed that person was in their thirties. When police informed him the girl was 13, he stopped answering questions and police arrested him.

Bemis is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and 4th degree stalking - both of which are misdemeanors. He was released and is set to appear in court at a later date.

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Below are individuals with ties to the Capital Region and Upstate New York. They have been designated as some of New York's Most Wanted Fugitives and should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

15 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- August 2022

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 08/01/2022:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.