Alleged stalker arrested while watching victim

A suspected stalker is again in jail after continuously following a woman, watching her and violating a no contact order, according to police reports.

Police arrested Chad Ryan Johnson, 35, of Austin, after they allegedly caught him watching the 34-year-old victim last Friday in Austin. According to the police report, Johnson had more than one pair of binoculars, a spotting scope and a bolt-action .223 caliber rifle when he was arrested.

Johnson was taken to Mower County Court on Monday afternoon and charged with seven violations, including two for felony stalking and five for gross misdemeanor stalking by monitoring or pursuing. The alleged violations happened between Sept. 10 and 21.

Johnson was arrested in August and pleaded not guilty to property damage and stalking charges, as well.

According to the court complaint, the victim said she and the defendant were on bad terms, but Johnson would not stop contacting her. Johnson allegedly sent threatening text messages, one of which said to “Be careful …” among other things.

The victim told police that Johnson punctured one of her tires in December 2011, keyed her car in June, causing $1,700 in damage, and again slashed two of her tires on July 15, according to the complaint. An officer said the tires appeared to be slashed.

Johnson denied the allegations when questioned by police; however, he allegedly admitted to the victim that he damaged her car and would not admit that to authorities. According to the court complaint, the victim recorded that conversation on her cell phone and showed it to police.

Johnson’s next court appearance is Oct. 4.

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