WILBRAHAM, CT – Police in Wilbraham thanked a concerned citizen who reported a suspicious vehicle on Raymond Drive Wednesday night. It turns out that tip led police to a vehicle driven by previously convicted child sex offender, Christopher Berchem. Berchem was allegedly stopped to watch young children at play, according to the tipster. In 2009 police launched an investigation into Berchem for sharing child pornography and in 2013, a registered child sex offender, he was caught in possession of child pornography at his Sandy Hook home. He had two prior counts of risking injury and imparing the morals of children in 1998 and 2000 according to court records.
The Wilbraham Police Department issued the following statement:
Alert citizen saluted for contacting police. On 10/20/20 at approximately 6pm, WPD received a call pertaining to a suspicious vehicle in the Raymond Dr neighborhood. The caller stated that the suspicious vehicle was occupied by a lone white male and he appeared to be watching young children play. WPD responded and eventually located the suspicious vehicle off the road on Main St. Officers made contact with the male party. Upon further investigation with Connecticut authorities, Christopher Berchem, 46 of Somers Ct was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender, level 2 or 3