A homeless Pottsville Man waived his right to a Preliminary Hearing Monday on charges he exposed himself and committed a lewd act toward two people earlier this month.
According to an affidavit filed by Pottsville Bureau of Police back on July 10, a woman and her daughter were walking in the 800 block of Mt. Hope Ave. that evening. As they passed by a home in that neighborhood, they observed 35-year-old Keith Wykle.
The woman told police that Wykle would always say hello to her as they walked but they never engaged him in conversation.
On this day, on their walk home, the woman and daughter stopped on the steps of an abandoned home in the 900 block of Mt. Hope Ave.
They were then approached by Wykle, who reportedly said to them, “Hey , didn’t you see me say hello while I was sitting in the car?”
The woman told police she then got nervous and started to walk away with her daughter.
Wykle allegedly followed them. While following them, Wykle apparently tried to continue to talking to them.
Finally, the woman told Wykle to leave her alone but he ignored that and kept trying to talk.
The woman told police that she and her daughter then started speed walking to get away from Wykle. As she turned around, she saw Wykle had fully exposed himself and was committing a lewd act with his right hand.
Wykle apparently asked the woman if she liked that, to which the woman said no and continued to walk away from the scene.
The woman told police that Wykle then said, “I am sorry and I won’t do that again.” She and her daughter continued to walk away while Wykle reportedly ran away, south on 12th St.
Police then contacted Wykle’s mother, who told them that her son doesn’t live with her anymore and that he’s homeless.
District Magistrate James Reiley did agree to reduce Wykle’s bail to 10% of $100,000, against an objection from the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office. He remains in Schuylkill County Prison as of this post going live.
Wykle faces two counts of indecent exposure, two counts of open lewdness, and a single count of disorderly conduct.
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...