08/02/2006

Police have arrested a New Jersey resident on suspicion of stalking granddaughter of Bob Dylan, Heather Dylan. Jace Balchunis, 28, was arrested Monday on felony counts of stalking and making criminal threats against Dylan, police said. He was being held on $400,000 bail.

An arraignment was scheduled for Thursday. It was not immediately known whether Balchunis had retained a lawyer.

Dylan and her family sought an order of protection against Balchunis on July. 12, stating in court documents that he tried to make contact with her by visiting her family's residence in Pennsylvania, and the neighborhood of her Grandfather's New York home. Balchunis also was also contacting Dylan via myspace.com, in attempt to meet Heather near his home in New Jersey.

Court documents said Balchunis "admitted to messaging Dylan on various occasions on her myspace account, has stated he is 'obsessed' with the Dylan family, and would opt to use a weapon to get her where he wants her. As well as coming forth saying once he has a hold on her 'all would be worried'.

A close friend revealed, " For the time being, Jakob has Heather surrounded by a full security team and does not want her to leave their home in Pennsylvania. She also canceled her myspace.com account after the police had the evidence."

Reps for Heather where not immediately returned.
Courtesy of TMZ.com