District Attorney’s Office Announces Arrest, Charges for Stalking Incidents in Old City
By: Philadelphia Dao
Tags: Criminal Justice, Press Release, Philadelphia

CONTACT:

Jane Roh, 215–686–8711, Jane.Roh@phila.gov

PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 25, 2020) — The District Attorney’s Office (DAO) on Wednesday announced charges have been filed against Steve Ditty (DOB: 1/18/1988) of Philadelphia for stalking and harassing women in separate incidents in Old City. Philadelphia Police continue to investigate additional complaints from other women alleging similar attacks from Ditty.

The District Attorney’s Office has charged Ditty with two counts of Stalking (F3), one count of Simple Assault (M2), and two counts of Harassment (S) following incidents involving the same complainant on November 12th and November 23rd. The DAO has also charged Ditty with Stalking (F3), Simple Assault (M2), and Harassment (S) for his role in an incident involving another complainant that occurred on November 14th.

On November 12th, Ditty is alleged to have approached a complainant in the area of 9th and South Streets and attempted to initiate conversation. Ditty is further alleged to have followed her as she jogged away, at one point reaching his hand out to her. He stopped following the complainant after a woman bystander yelled at him, in an apparent attempt to intervene.

On November 23rd, when the same complainant was walking in the area of 3rd and Arch Streets, Ditty again approached and attempted to engage her in conversation, at one point using detailed language regarding her body. After learning of social media postings from other women describing similar incidents allegedly involving Ditty, the complainant reported the two incidents to Philadelphia Police.

The second complainant is alleged to have been approached by Ditty on November 14th. After being asked and declining to allow him to use her phone, the woman became uncomfortable by language Ditty used. Ditty refused to leave her alone despite her verbal requests, made unwanted physical contact with the woman, and continued to follow her as she walked away.

A number of similar incidents involving Ditty and other women in the area have been shared via social media and reported to Philadelphia Police. Ditty’s arrest is a violation of probation, following 10 months of incarceration for a conviction for a similar offense.

The District Attorney’s Office is requesting bail set for $999,999 for each of the three cases to ensure Ditty remains detained while investigations continue.

“Women and all people deserve the freedom and comfort of being able to move about in public spaces without fear for their safety. Unfortunately, so-called street harassment of women and girls is all too common,” DAO Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit Supervisor Branwen McNabb said. “The District Attorney’s Office and Philadelphia Police continue to investigate other reported incidents involving Ditty over the past month, and additional charges are possible. If you were a victim of this conduct or know someone who was, we encourage you to report what you know to the Philadelphia Police at 215–686-TIPS.”

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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.