Man is arrested after a report of suspicious behavior around Eastern Elementary School
TRAVERSE CITY -- A Grand Traverse County man is behind bars once again, after reports of suspicious behavior around Eastern Elementary School, and taking pictures of young girls in the area.
In December, Traverse City Police were contacted by school officials about a man who was seen several times on Eastern Avenue, driving by young girls walking near the school. Police were given information on the van and the man but they were unable to identify him or find the van at the time.
School leaders were notified to keep watch for the suspect and police patrols were increased in the area.
On January 6, police were called by a parent who said she had seen a van travelling on Eastern Avenue when she had picked up her daughter at school. The parent gave police enough information and the van and owner were tracked down. The driver of the van, Scott Mallwitz, is a probationer and on the sex offender registry for a prior conviction for possession of child pornography.
Police say he is in violation of probation because he was taking pictures of the young girls on Eastern Avenue.
Mallwitz is being held in the Grand Traverse County jail at this time and the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the case to see if additional charges will be issued.
