CLEVELAND — A man was arrested in Elyria Friday after police say he tried to pay a teen victim to have sex with him.
Ricky Allen Vankerkhove, 69, was booked and charged with importuning — a fifth-degree felony — and felonious assault, Elyria police Sgt. James M. Wise told 3News.
According to the Elyria Police Department, Vankerkhove allegedly drove up next to a 14-year-old victim, who was walking on West Avenue, and offered the teen $2,000 to have sex with him.
According to a social media post from the police department, Vankerkhove and his Silver Toyota Tacoma with North Carolina license plates KAK9592 had been seen in "multiple areas" throughout Ohio within the past several days, including Toledo and Lorain.
Police say Vankerkhove is currently behind bars at the Lorain County Jail with no bond until an initial court appearance.
Police are actively investigating the case.