After allegedly sending letters and leaving gifts for a 16-year-old girl, an Austin man has been charged with three felony counts of stalking.

Bellrichard

Loren F. Bellrichard, 67, received the charges Monday morning in Mower County District Court. Police arrested Bellrichard Friday but say they have warned him in the past about this activity. According to the court complaint, Bellrichard left letters and notes for the 16-year-old in April and May. Officers told Bellrichard to stop, the complaint added; however, the 16-year-old then received a bicycle, softball glove, ball and bat last Friday. A note was also with the items; however, it was not signed. Officers said they recognized the writing from previous letters sent by Bellrichard.

Officers later spoke with Bellrichard at a home in the 1600 block of Third Ave. NW, where the he allegedly told officers he bought the girl the softball equipment as he thought she would be good at the sport, and he bought the bike so she could get to practice. Documents proved Bellrichard bought the $374 bike at an Austin store in early September.

Bellrichard — a much-recognized face around Austin, known for being outspoken and often homeless — was convicted in 1991 for threatening public officials. While in prison on original charges, he sent more threatening letters to public officials, which added seven years to his sentence. Bellrichard was acquitted of charges that alleged he set fire to the homes of two district judges in 1988 and 1989. In 2010, he also ran for a seat on the Mower County Board but wasn’t elected.

Bellrichard has another court appearance set for Oct. 3.