“Peeping Tom” reported on UC Santa Cruz campus

Dorm students at UC Santa Cruz are being asked to stay on high alert, after two recent peeping Tom cases on campus.

Campus police said the suspect or suspects are “tech-savvy”, accused of using two different recording devices to take either video or pictures of female students while showering. Investigators are asking students with information to come forward.

Police said the first incident occurred on Oct. 20, at the Weisel House in Oakes College. A woman reported seeing a white man pointing a cell phone camera in her direction while she was showering. The suspect quickly left the bathroom after she noticed. A freshman who lives in that building said he’s appalled.

“It’s very unfortunate that you know coming here to such an accepting community that things like this, of this nature could occur,” said UCSC student Cesar Olivares.

Investigators said the second incident happened on Oct. 29, in Building “A” at Merrill College. A woman reported seeing a suspect pointing a “pen-like” recording device in her direction, also while she was showering. Students said now they’re being asked not to prop doors open and to use their access cards to enter the bathroom.

“A total invasion of privacy. It just makes you really uncomfortable to, like, shower, I guess, which is not really like what you should be feeling when you’re showering because you’re in such a vulnerable state,” said UCSC student Yesenia Matias

Police said they don’t have any reason to believe the same suspect is tied to both cases. Meanwhile, students are being asked to report any suspicious behavior.

“It made me kind of uncomfortable. I know the boys in my hall would never do anything like that but it made me, like, feel really unsafe,” Matias said.

Police said they haven’t received any tips or workable leads at this point. Investigators are hoping students will remain vigilant and keep their doors locked.