Police investigating prowler reports in SLO neighborhood

The San Luis Obispo Police Department is investigating several cases of an individual prowling the neighborhood in the 600 block of Johnson Avenue. They believe all four incidents are related.

In each case, witnesses describe the individual as a man shining a light into the victim’s bedroom before fleeing the scene.

In an incident on May 9, a female victim told police she woke to sounds outside her bedroom window and discovered the suspect holding a cell phone and watching a pornographic video while shining a light into her bedroom.

“It’s quite terrifying, now I’m a little on edge being in this area,” neighbor Nycole Robbins said.

This was the first time Cal Poly student Nycole Robbins had heard there’s been a prowler in her neighborhood lurking around at night.

“As soon as I get inside I’m going to go lock all the windows and make sure there’s no visibility from the street from where I’m at,” Robbins said.

The victim called the landlord first because he lived nearby, and the police were called about 20 minutes later. SLO police say witnesses should call police immediately because the longer they wait, the harder it gets for police to locate any suspects.

“Yea that’s kind of sketch but there’s been other incidents like the panty snatcher guy a couple years ago and then a bunch of creepy guys around campus,” neighbor Veronica Fregoso said.

Fregoso says there’s a lot of Cal Poly students who live in this area.

“And then this area is just kind of sketch itself, because it’s by train tracks, ya know,” Fregoso said.

Police say the think the man who’s doing this might be coming and going from the nearby train tracks that Fregoso is talking about.

“I hope they can find him soon just for peace of mind,” Robbins said.

Investigators are seeking anyone that may have video surveillance anywhere in the 600 block of Johnson Avenue. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the San Luis Obispo Police Department at 805-781-7312.