Northeast Philly man sentenced to prison and probation for multiple counts of harassment in East Falls

A Northeast Philadelphia man was sentenced to prison and probation last week after a springtime series of crimes near an East Falls college.

George Tobin, 46, of the 7100 block of Keystone St., agreed to negotiated guilty pleas on counts of open lewdness on July 25. Several charges of harassment and disorderly conduct of an obscene nature were withdrawn by prosecutors, according to court records.

Tobin’s sentence stems to multiple harassment and indecent exposure incidents on or near the campus of Philadelphia University earlier this year.

According to police, Tobin was involved in five separate incidents occurring in the 3100 and 3200 blocks of School House Lane. The first incident occurred on Thursday, April 18, at 1 p.m., and four other incidents occurred on Wednesday, April 24, between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

In each instance, police said that Tobin approached 18 to 26-year-old females and asked them inappropriate questions. In at least one incident, he exposed himself.

After an investigation and a public appeal for help by police, Tobin was identified and arrested on Monday, April 29, at the Special Victims Unit located at 100 E. Lehigh Ave. Bail of $10,000 was set at his May 10 preliminary hearing.

Tobin’s criminal history includes previous jail stints in Chester and Northumberland counties on charges on threatening and stalking. His Philadelphia rap sheet includes sentences for simple assault, harassment, and making terroristic threats.

Under the sentence imposed by Judge Wendy Pew, Tobin will spend six to 16 months in confinement in regard to a charge of open lewdness, less time already served. He will also face up to 12 months of probation and be supervised by the city’s sex offender’s parole and probation unit.