ARLINGTON, Va. - A security guard at an Arlington strip mall is facing extortion charges for allegedly shaking down teenagers for money or merchandise, police said.

Homer Kelly, 49, of Washington, D.C., was charged with two counts of extortion and is being held on $6,000 bond.

Catherine Katz says she had a confrontation with Kelly a few weeks ago after an incident involving her 12-year-old daughter at the Lee/Harrison Shopping Center.

"He was taking himself very seriously," Katz said. "I was pretty upset that day because she was crying, thinking she was in trouble."

"He made us get up and then he took us into this little square corner where there was writing and he was like, 'Are you doing this? Are you writing on my walls? and stuff.'"

The charges against Kelly stem from an alleged incident on Friday, June 12. Police say Kelly stopped a group of teenagers and confiscated several items from two teenagers, allegedly threatening to call their parents or police unless he was paid a "fine", police said. The teens paid the guard and left the shopping center. A teen told a parent, who called police. 

The guard would allegedly have approached teens whether or not they were in a compromising situation.

"It's intimidating to the kids, you know, to anyone -- I think that's really bad," said Alenna Truheart.

Detectives say they want to know if there are more victims who haven't come forward yet.

"To have to put up with that, I'm really sorry to hear that," said Beth Perrott, a parent. "I'm really disgusted."

Police ask anyone with information about similar incidents to contact Detective Rosa Ortiz at 703 228-7402.

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