Man, 46, accused of harassing teen

A 46-year-old Ramona man suspected of following and harassing a 17-year-old girl was arrested Friday, reports Detective Mike McNeill with the sheriff’s Ramona Substation.

James Leo Flaherty III allegedly followed the girl while she walked in the 300 block of 16th Street on Tuesday, May 11. The victim told sheriff’s officials the suspect stared at her inappropriately as he drove slowly past her and told her, “I’m not going to leave you alone.”

The suspect also followed her and her sister sometime in the past year and placed a pornographic magazine on the sidewalk in front of them while they walked in the same area, the victim told officials.

After investigating the incident, sheriff’s Deputy Mark Sherman and McNeill identified Flaherty as the suspect in the case and requested a warrant for his arrest from the San Diego County District Attorney Office, said McNeill. A Superior Court judge issued a warrant on Friday, May 14, and McNeill arrested the suspect about 1 p.m. in the 300 block of Main Street.

Flaherty is described as white with brown hair and green eyes, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 200 pounds. He drives a small black four-door sedan.

It is possible there may be other victims, according to the sheriff’s department.

Anyone who may have more information who been a victim of the suspect’s action is asked to contact McNeill at 760-789-9157.