Edward Osche

A 65-year-old man is free on $100,000 bail after Butler police say he offered two teenage girls a ride in his vehicle Sunday afternoon.

Edward L. Osche of Butler Township is charged with two counts each of attempting to lure a child into a vehicle, child endangerment, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Police said the 14- and 13-year-old girls reported that they were walking in the 300 block of East Brady Street at about 2:15 p.m. when a man approached them.

The man was driving a small, red sport utility vehicle, according to court documents, and said, “Hey girls you want to get into the car?,” They told him, “No thanks, bye.”

They provided police with a description of the man and his vehicle, including the license plate number.

The plate traced back to Osche, who eventually came to the station to speak with officers about the incident, police said.

He matched the girls' description and police noted that he drove to the station in a red Toyota RAV4.

The defendant admitted that he was driving to East Butler and traveled into the city “because it (was) a nice day and that he wanted to look at women,” according to a police affidavit.

He recounted seeing two females, one who was wearing a short skirt, and he drove around the block and approached them.

“Osche states that he asked the females if they needed a ride,” the affidavit said. When they declined, he said, he continued on his way to East Butler.

Osche told police, documents said, that he “wanted to give the females a ride to get a better look at their legs.”

Police said he acknowledged seeking out women and offering them rides, but he “does not (accept) gratuity for his actions.”

A preliminary hearing is set for April 30. Online court records do not indicate if Osche has an attorney.