Smallscreen News

Seacrest in, Stalker out

By April MacIntyre Oct 31, 2009, 1:17 GMT

Ryan Seacrest -A knife-wielding man suspected of stalking Seacrest was detained by security guards on Friday at the offices of E! entertainment television and turned over to police, the cable network reported on its website. © Chris Schwegler / PR Photos

American Idol host and producer Ryan Seacrest can rest a bit easier.  His alleged stalker has been detained.

A knife-wielding man suspected of stalking Seacrest was detained by security guards on Friday at the offices of E! entertainment television and turned over to police, the cable network reported on its website.

Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr. was reportedly held as a person of interest.

Detective Gus Villanueva of the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Reuters that police detained a man at the E! building, and said the man had not been formally arrested.

Uzomah was previously arrested for attmepting ot break in to Seacrest’s automobile in Orange County. He pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors – assault, battery and possession of a switchblade knife and was sentenced to 15 days in jail, and three years probation.