Oil City Man Accused of Attempting to Lure Teen into Vehicle

| January 26, 2021

OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – Criminal charges have been filed against an Oil City man who allegedly attempted to lure a teen into his vehicle late last week.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 53-year-old Robert Charles Liston.

According to a criminal complaint, around 6:47 p.m. on January 22, Oil City Police were notified that an unknown individual had tried to lure a known juvenile into a motor vehicle on Colbert Avenue. Police were provided with a description of the individual, as well as the vehicle.

According to the complaint, the juvenile victim reported a man with white hair and a long face asked how old he was, and when the victim replied that he was 17, the man said he was “young enough.” The victim told police the man then said it was illegal to walk on the railroad tracks and said the victim needed to get into his truck. The victim refused, and the man then allegedly opened his passenger door and told the victim to get inside again.

The victim told police he refused again, and the man then became angry and told him with a stern and angry voice to get into the truck. The victim refused a third time, and then the man allegedly drove away in a hurry, nearly hitting a silver SUV when pulling out onto Colbert Avenue.

According to the complaint, later that evening, police located a vehicle fitting the description on Plum Street and found it was registered to Robert Charles Liston.

Police then provided the victim with a line-up of photos, and the victim positively identified Liston, according to the complaint.

Liston was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey at 6:50 p.m. on January 22, on the following charges:

– Lure Child into Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor 1
– Harassment – Communicate Lewd, Threatening, Etc. Language, Misdemeanor 3
– Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense, Misdemeanor 3

Unable to post $10,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on January 27 in Venango County Central Court.


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