Philadelphia Man Charged with Stalking, Groping 17-Year-Old Girl on Bensalem-bound SEPTA Bus

A Philadelphia man stalked and groped a 17-year-old girl for 45 minutes on a SEPTA bus headed to Bensalem and authorities are asking any additional victims to come forward.

Elmange Watson, 25, was charged on Feb. 21 with stalking, corruption of minors and indecent assault, and two counts of harassment. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph P. Falcone and was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility under $250,000 bail, 10 percent.

The investigation began on Jan. 22 when members of the Bensalem Police Department were dispatched to the Neshaminy Mall to investigate a report of a 17-year-old girl who was stalked and groped on a bus.

The victim told police she boarded a SEPTA bus at 10:30 a.m. that day at the Frankford Terminal in Philadelphia to get to her job at the mall.

Watson followed the girl onto the bus and sat down next to her, so close that his body was touching hers. The victim told police she did not know Watson and there were other seats available where Watson could have sat.

During the duration of the bus ride, Watson groped the victim multiple times.

The bus arrived at Neshaminy Mall at 11:15 a.m. and Watson exited the bus next to the victim. Watson continued to harass her in the mall and only left when the victim’s boss appeared.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Bensalem Police Department believe there may be additional victims and are asking them to come forward so that we can assist them. Anyone with information can contact Bensalem Police Detective Ryan Kolb at 215-633-3746.

This case was investigated by Bensalem Police Detective Ryan Kolb and is assigned for prosecution to Deputy District Attorney Brittney Kern.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org

Criminal charges are allegations subject to proof in court. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.