VERNON, CT (WFSB) -
A convicted sex offender is due in court Friday afternoon after being accused of trying to seduce a teenage boy.
Police said Mark Joseph Tucker Jr. wanted to start a sexual relationship with the teen so he hired him to wax his car, took him out to dinner and even gave him alcohol.
The unidentified teenager's mother said she became suspicious, found Tucker listed on the state's sex offender registry and called police. Tucker was convicted previously of sexually assaulting a juvenile in Vermont, police said.
According to investigators, Tucker's real motive wasn't to form a friendship, but to rather have sex with the boy.
He's now facing numerous charges including criminal attempt at illegal sexual contact and risk of injury to a minor.
According to arrest papers, Tucker was watching the boy for several weeks before he made contact with the child.
He confessed to being sexually attracted to boys between the age of 12 to 16, the papers said. Tucker also stated he knew what he was doing was wrong, according to arrest papers.
In addition, police said, Tucker was in possession of a Cadillac Escalade that was in storage. Police said that car, valued at more than $50,000 was recently stolen from Scranton Motors in Vernon.
On Friday, Tucker was arraigned in Superior Court in Rockville.
Learning about all the charges, those who live in the same complex as Tucker said they're creeped out about the whole situation.
"We have a lot of small children who live here," said one unidentified resident. "I'm not too happy about it. It's unnerving."
Police are now trying to figure out if Tucker had contact with any other teens in the area. Police held a press conference Thursday to "identify any other victims that Tucker may have targeted" and asking them to come forward. Any victims are asked to call Vernon police at 860-872-9126.
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Mark Joseph Tucker Jr.
