A registered sex offender who tried to lure a Mays Landing girl four years ago was arrested this week for taking photos of a Camden County teen who was walking to a bus.
Tala Aridi, 38, is currently on probation in the 2018 luring case, after admitting to taking pictures of the girl and trying to give her a ride. While that charge was pending, he was arrested again for driving by the 11-year-old victim's home after the judge had granted a sex offender restraining order.
He received a 364-day jail sentence under a plea agreement, followed by five years' probation. He also is under Megan's Law supervision for life. He is categorized as a Tier 2, or moderate, offender and is listed on the public registry online.
Aridi apparently moved to Lindenwold, Camden County, where he is currently registered.
He drew attention Monday, when a teenage juvenile girl noticed him taking pictures of her as she walked to the bus stop in Sicklerville around 3:30 p.m., according to Gloucester Township police. The incident was less than a mile from the Ann A. Mullen Middle School.
The girl alerted an adult, who called police, according to the report.
The adult also confronted Aridi, capturing a photograph of the suspect's license plate.
The car was registered to Aridi, who was found at his place of employment, the report said. It did not name his employer.
Investigators found photographic evidence on Aridi's phone, and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit was notified, and approved charges.
He was arrested on a third-degree count of endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree stalking and one count of harassment, which is a disorderly persons offense.
Aridi is currently in the Camden County Correctional Facility.
