Brookline man allegedly performed lewd act near students at bus stop
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A Brookline man was arrested Sept. 19 while allegedly performing a lewd act as he watched students waiting for a school bus, police said.
Anthony Cardamone, 55, faces seven misdemeanor charges related to the incident, according to court records.
According to a criminal complaint, a male student on Wednesday reported seeing a white man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap “hanging around the Chartiers Valley school bus stop located on Prestley Road at the intersection with Washington Avenue.”
“The student reported the male was ‘violently masturbating,’ ” the complaint said.
The next day, Bridgeville police Chief Chad King said he hid behind bushes near the intersection and waited.
King described seeing the man resting against a retaining wall along a walkway, looking at three students. One was 18, and the other two were 14 and 15.
The chief said he observed Cardamone performing what appeared to be a sex act on himself, so he and another officer approached him to make an arrest.
In an interview with the Tribune-Review, King said Cardamone was in the act when he made the arrest.
“He was staring at the kids. … He never knew I was there,” King said.
Cardamone was arrested and taken into custody without incident, the complaint said. He allegedly admitted to the previous day’s incident.
King took to Facebook just hours after the arrest to describe the incident and to encourage people to speak up when they see something unusual.
“Please tell your children/student, we are here to help them and help keep them safe. We will listen when they speak,” he wrote in the post.
The district released the following statement via email:
“Earlier today, a man was arrested and charged by Bridgeville police regarding an incident occurring at one of our high school bus stops.
“We are very proud of our students who reported suspicious activity and brought the perpetrator to the attention of local police. We are grateful to our local law enforcement for their unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our children.
“As we continue to teach our students the ‘see something, say something’ mantra, we encourage parents and community members to do the same. Please reinforce with your children, friends and neighbors the importance of reporting anything that seems suspicious or ‘off’ to the appropriate authorities.
“As always, our school and local police, counselors, administrators and teachers are here to listen and help. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school or the Bridgeville Police Department.”
Cardamone’s preliminary arraignment on charges including indecent exposure, open lewdness, disorderly conduct was held Sept. 19 in Bridgeville, where a $10,000 bond was set. His next court date is set for Sept. 30, where he will face District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet.