At around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, campus safety detained an unnamed male wandering around the Athletic Pavilion. The suspect, who has been spotted on campus in the past, was later found by Campus Safety hiding in a second floor restroom.
The suspect was given a trespassing warning by campus safety as the subject was not affiliated with the university.
The suspect was identified initially by Ronee Lim, a university maintenance man, who recognized the suspect’s backpack from a photo emailed on Feb. 28.
Shortly after the suspect was detained, La Verne Police Department began to investigate further into the incident. The LVPD then called Claremont Police Department after being told the suspect may have history at other campuses.
The male is believed to be involved in a string of incidents dating back to February when he fondled a student at Chapman University and pulled down the shorts and undergarments of another student at the Claremont Colleges.
CPD are currently investigating a misdemeanor sexual battery that took place at the Claremont Colleges campus.
CPD attained a statement from the suspect and released him from custody pending further investigation. The CPD will attempt to positively identify the suspect as the perpetrator by the victim.
On March 2, campus safety received an email from a faculty member stating they saw a person matching the profile given in the mass email.
The suspect was said to be flying a drone over campus but was not apprehended by officers.
“The guy had to be caught. They said he’s been doing this on other campuses and that has to stop,” Lim said.
—Andrew Alonzo
