Berks man arrested on three luring charges after Oct. 14 encounters

Robert Ruhe, 66, was arrested Friday morning and charged with three counts of luring a child and related offenses. He is currently awaiting a preliminary arraignment hearing scheduled for Nov. 11, 2026.

The charges stem from three separate incidents reported to occur on Oct. 14, 2026, in Shillington Borough and Reading. Police say Ruhe attempted to lure young girls into his vehicle during these encounters.

According to court documents, the investigation started after a 15-year-old girl contacted police. She reported that at approximately 6 p.m., she was walking at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and State Street in Shillington Borough when a man stopped his white SUV in the middle of the road. Police later identified the driver as Ruhe. He motioned for her to approach, but she walked away.

The girl told police she felt uneasy after the first encounter and called her father. While speaking to him on speakerphone, she claimed she saw Ruhe again on the 400 block of Wyomissing Avenue a short time later. Court records state that Ruhe called out, "Hey baby, what are you doing?" He also told her he had been watching her walk alone and asked if she wanted to make some money. The girl refused his advances until he drove away.

As investigators reviewed the initial report, they identified two additional allegations. Police say Ruhe attempted to lure a 16-year-old girl and her 6-year-old sister into his SUV shortly before the Shillington incident. This encounter allegedly took place between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2026, on the 1000 block of Patton Avenue in Reading. The girls were outside taking out trash when Ruhe approached them, offering candy if they got inside the vehicle. The 16-year-old told her sister to stay away and shouted for their mother. Ruhe is alleged to have sped away when the mother appeared.

Police reviewed surveillance footage from both locations and confirmed the same white Acura RDX SUV appeared in the recordings. They determined the vehicle was owned by Ruhe. When officers interviewed him, he acknowledged operating the SUV in those locations at the times of the incidents. However, he denied talking to any of the victims.

Berks County Detectives are continuing to investigate the case. They are asking anyone with information to call 610-478-7171. Residents can also submit anonymous tips by calling 877-373-9913 or by texting "ALERTBERKS" followed by the tip to 847411.