SLO police arrest prowler who allegedly watched women getting ready for bed
San Luis Obispo police have arrested a man for allegedly prowling outside local homes and watching women get ready for bed.
At about 11:40 pm Tuesday, detectives from the San Luis Obispo Police Department were conducting surveillance in the 900 block of Boysen Avenue in response to an increase in prowling incidents being reported in that area, according to a police news release.
San Luis Obispo resident Juan Francisco Rodriguez Espino, 35, had previously been identified as a suspect in the prowlings after evidence recovered from an peeping incident in the area was reported to the police department on Nov. 17, the release said.
Detectives gathered additional evidence linking Espino to a total of four peeping Tom incidents dating back to October 2018, according to the release.
During the three prior incidents, different women preparing for bed were targeted by a male suspect, believed to be Espino, police say.
Investigators believe those incidents were “sexually motivated,” the release said.
All the incidents occurred in the area surrounding the 800 block of Boysen Avenue, according to police.
Espino was followed Tuesday night to the 900 block of Boysen Avenue, where he was found behind a closed office, hiding in bushes near a window, the release said.
At this point, it is unclear what Espino’s motivation was for being on the property was, police say.
Espino was interviewed at San Luis Obispo police headquarters prior to being booked at San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of prowling.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Espino was being held at County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
In its news release, the San Luis Obispo Police Department reminded residents, especially the student population, to “remain vigilant about their personal safety and to immediately report any suspicious activity.”
“Waiting to report activity such as tonight’s greatly impedes our ability to identify and capture predators like Espino,” police said. “Additionally, keeping blinds into private areas closed decreases your risk of being targeted.”
Those with information about Espino or prowling incidents in the city are asked to contact San Luis Obispo police at 805-781-7312 or call Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP.
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