Sex offender who approached teen girl in Marshfield failed to register address, police say

The search is on for a level 3 sex offender wanted for failing to register his new address at a home in Scituate, Massachusetts.

Police became aware of Edmund Lachance Tuesday evening when a 17-year-old girl out for a jog in nearby Marshfield called 911.

She said a suspicious man had pulled up and offered her a ride.

“She subsequently immediately turned around and ran in the opposite direction toward a friend’s home during which he followed for a brief period of time,” said Marshfield Police Officer Camden Bruno.

The teen provided police with a description of the vehicle, which officers quickly located parked at a home in Scituate.

Investigators say he was evasive about what had happened, but they didn’t have enough to go on at the time to make an arrest.

“We spoke with him,” said Bruno. “At that point we did not have probable cause. An investigation had to take place to confirm he had not registered.”

According to the Sex Offender Registry Board, Lachance was convicted of rape in 1991 and rape and indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over in 2001. His status as a level 3 sex offender requires him to register his new address when he moves.

When police went back to the home, the 53-year-old was gone.

He was last known to be driving a 2006 Black Lincoln Zephyr with Massachusetts license plate 4NWY15.

“Not an immediate threat to public safety but he does have a history of predatory behavior,” said Bruno. “We want to locate him.”

Neighbors on Hawthorne Street in Scituate where Lachance had been living say he just moved in a few months ago, renting a room from the homeowner.