ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606260014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A May 1997 court date has been set for the 79-year-old Blacksburg man arrested in April on three charges of stalking after authorities said he repeatedly followed elementary school girls in his car and offered them rides.
Charles Yonker was released on a $5,000 secured bond to a nursing home in Abingdon in May after he was held without bond when he was arrested for the second time in one week. About two weeks ago, Yonker moved to the Richfield Nursing Center in Salem. In both cases, Yonker was "grounded" and forced to give up his car keys and driver's license upon entering the nursing home as a condition of his release.
Montgomery County Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith said he believed Yonker's court date was delayed a year because of physical ailments Yonker is experiencing. Keith added, "I believe the judge is wanting to make sure [Yonker] continues to comply" with the court's order.
Ellett Valley residents complained to authorities in February when Yonker cruised the Misty Hills Circle area near Blacksburg Country Club, the Ellett Valley Food Time and a church on Lusters Gate Road talking to elementary school-age girls and watching them with binoculars.
Montgomery County sheriff's deputies twice delivered warning letters to Yonker stating that if he did not stop the activity, he would be "charged for any and all laws you have violated."
Despite the warnings, Yonker continued following a school bus from Margaret Beeks Elementary School in Blacksburg into the Ellett Valley where some of the children live, authorities said. He was arrested April 9 on a charge of stalking and released on bond. A week later, deputies arrested him again on two charges of stalking and he remained in jail until his stay in a nursing home was arranged.
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