Man Accused Of Stalking 8-year-old In Springville

[samanthajane13]

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Erie County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Springville man, accused of stalking an eight year old girl. Investigators have also charged him with weapons possession.

Sheriff Tim Howard says neighbors had complained that 64-year-old Eddie Smith videotaped neighborhood children as they played outside. Neighbors also claim Smith offered the kids candy and exposed himself to them from his apartment on Colonial Drive.

Howard says Smith told deputies he was sexually attracted to girls between the ages of three and puberty, and he had fantasized about kidnapping, raping, and holding little girls captive for long periods of time.

During a search of his home made last week, Howard says deputies found a video camera Smith had trained on the front door of the buidling across the street. They had also found a plastic chair with a hole cut into the seat with a plastic jug of waste next to it. Smith had told detectives "he didn't want to get up and miss anything," which detectives believe that meant Smith was intent on what was going on outside his apartment building he didn't want to miss anything, even to the point of not wanting to walk into the bathroom to relieve himself.

Howard notes Smith, formerly known as Michael Zimpher, also told detectives he fantasized about killing police officers and their families. Detectives also seized books on topics like serial killers and changing one's identity.

[samanthajane13]

Man Pleads Not Guilty of Stalking 8-Year-Old


Posted by: Robyn Young, Reporter

Created: 6/25/2007 10:11:26 PM
Updated: 6/28/2007 6:55:26 AM


New charges were applied to Eddie Smith of Springville, who is accused of stalking an 8-year-old girl in the apartment comlex he lived in.

Smith was arraigned of stalking in the third-degree, and criminal possession of a weapon, and his bail has been increased to $200,000 cash or bond. Smith will be back in court July 5 in Springville Town Court.

For more than one year, neighbors in apartments on Colonial Drive in Springville say they thought something wasn't right with Smith.

"Hanging around a little too often, staring a little too often, just hovering," said neighbor and mother Jessica Attebery.

Neighbors got together and called police after they repeatedly saw Smith, 64, videotaping children. He was arrested on Friday.

"We're convinced that this individual is dangerous," said Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard.

During a Monday news conference, Sheriff Howard said investigators found the video camera in Smith's apartment, focused on an apartment building across the street.

The Sheriff said Smith was particulary interested in an eight-year-old girl. He told authorities she was enticing him because he could see her underwear when she rode her Big Wheel, and that he was videotaping this activity for his eventual defense.

Investigators also found a written plan of how to avoid police capture, a stun gun, books about serial killers and changing one's identity, plus they found a plastic chair in the apartment with a hole cut in it. A jug filled with urine was next to it. The suspect reportedly told deputies that he "didn't want to get up and miss anything."

They also found a map of hundreds of discount stores in the area, duct tape, dark gloves, dark clothing, and candy in Smith's 1980's white Cadillac. Across the back of the vehicle are the words, "I'm a Road Runner."

But it was what Smith told authorities that really startled them.

"This individual has made it extremely clear to us that it is his intention, it was his intention and continues to be his intention, if released from jail to kidnap and murder, sexually molest and murder, young girls," said Sheriff Howard. Smith also told deputies that he was sexually attracted to girls between three years old and puberty, and that he fantasized about kidnapping, raping, and holding little girls captive.

Several parents refused to comment on camera, because they said they are afraid of what could happen if Smith is released from custody on bail.

Others said neighbors planned a petition to get him evicted, or they would all leave.

"There is a buddy system involved with our children," said parent April Green. "That way if they are outside, they are with somebody." She said other parents had taken to covering up their children's windows and making sure their doors were locked.

"It makes you very angry," said Lee Croakman, who lives in Smith's building. "My grandchildren are here constantly, and we don't let them outside without us."

Sheriff Howard said Smith had been arrested at least four times in other states for crimes against women and children, but nothing serious enough to keep him behind bars for long. He also said Smith had used another name in the past, Michael Zimpher.

The Sheriff called for anyone with information about Smith to contact their local police.

[samanthajane13]

Springville Man in Jail on Felony Weapons Charge
Aug 17, 2007 10:31 PM EDT


(Springville, NY, August 17, 2007) - - The criminal stalking case against a Springville man is heading to an Erie County Grand Jury.

Friday, a judge ruled that there is enough evidence to hold 64-year old Eddie Smith on a felony weapons charge sending him to county court. The stalking charge against Smith was recently reduced from a felony to misdeamonor. He's accused of videotaping and stalking an eight year old who lives across the street. Smith is being held on 200,000 dollars bail.