South Strabane man accused of child luring headed to trial
A South Strabane Township man accused of trying to lure a 10-year-old girl into his van will see his case head to trial.
District Judge Joshua Kanalis held for court one charge of luring a child into a motor vehicle against Jan Ondra, 66, at Ondra’s preliminary hearing Monday.
Centerville Borough police Chief Jeffrey Barone, the investigating officer, testified at the hearing.
Barone testified that he had gone to investigate reports of a man attempting to a lure a girl into a vehicle on June 20 at Clark Street in Clarksville.
Barone said he was told the man was older with longer hair, driving a blue van with white doors.
He stopped a van matching that description, being driven by Ondra, at Community Street and Route 88.
Barone testified that Ondra told him he was in the area looking at tax sale properties and wanted information about sewerage. Ondra said he had spoken to the girl to ask her if her parents were home.
At the scene of the incident, Barone spoke with the alleged victim and her mother. The girl told Barone that Ondra said, “Get in the van. I’m taking you to your daddy.”
Barone described the girl as frightened.
The girl was with a friend when Ondra allegedly approached her. The friend recalled that Ondra told the 10-year-old to get into the van, police said.
Barone also spoke to a neighbor who said they spoke to Ondra about sewerage. Barone testified that the neighbor’s exchange with Ondra took place after he allegedly attempted to lure the girl into his van.
Ondra is represented in the case by two lawyers – Herbert Terrell and Jack Connor.
Terrell moved to have the charge dismissed, arguing that Ondra was only in the area to look at tax sale properties, and that he would not have stayed and spoken to neighbors if he had done what he is accused of.
About two hours after the incident, Ondra went to the Centerville police station, saying he was being followed by several vehicles, Barone testified.
Barone said Ondra was cooperative while being questioned at the station. Ondra is currently free on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 29.