Man Accused Of Trying To Lure Teen By Impersonating An Officer Ordered To Stand Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man accused of trying to lure a teenage girl to his car by claiming to be a police officer has been ordered to stand trial.
Shortly after learning he'd stand trial and won't have his bail reduced, William Durci hid his face from television cameras and said nothing.
He's accused of driving around New Kensington, Westmoreland County, in his car last November and asking a then-15-year-old high school student to get in.
Police testified in court that he told them he thought the girl was of age and was a prostitute.
The teen also took the stand, at time trying to hold back tears during her testimony.
"He asked me if I wanted to fool around. I told him I was too young," she said. "I started walking and he kept circling around the block. At some point, he told me he was trying to keep me safe and he was a cop. He told me to get in the car."
She never did. Her mother eventually picked her up and took her straight to police.
Police located the car after reviewing surveillance video from businesses around town and from video the girl took on her phone while the incident happened.
A detective testified that when first confronted, Durci denied the allegations, but once he was told the girl recorded some of the encounters; Durci admitted it was his voice on her cell phone.
Westmoreland County District Judge Frank Pallone rejected defense arguments to throw out some counts and ordered him to stand trial on all charges, including attempted kidnapping, attempted false imprisonment, luring a child to a motor vehicle and impersonating a public servant.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter