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By Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Rene Santiago, a 65-year-old resident of Ocoee, was apprehended last night on suspicion of peering into the windows of several occupied apartments under the cover of darkness.
Around 9:38 p.m. on February 21, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department was dispatched to Victoria Station, located in the 3500 block of SW 30th Way. A witness had reported seeing a man tampering with her unit’s window. Upon being spotted, the man reportedly walked away.
The responding officer observed Santiago walking beside the exterior walls of various occupied apartments, gazing into their windows. On one occasion, Santiago allegedly leaned closer to get a better view. The officer noted that Santiago wasn’t on a phone call or attempting to contact anyone by knocking on doors; rather, he was seen moving from one window to the next, peering inside after nightfall.
When the officer identified himself and instructed Santiago to stop, Santiago allegedly turned and attempted to leave quickly. Despite a second command to halt, Santiago reportedly began to run.
When the officer caught up with Santiago, Santiago allegedly resisted being placed into handcuffs.
When asked why he was looking into apartment windows, Santiago reportedly gave vague and inconsistent explanations and was unable to identify anybody he knew who lived at the complex. He also allegedly refused multiple times to identify himself. He reportedly said he had parked in another apartment complex, and after officers found his vehicle, they were able to identify him.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a “scream ghost” mask, a black hat, and a velcro face mask.
Santiago has been charged with loitering/prowling and resisting an officer without violence. His criminal history is currently unavailable; Judge James Colaw set bail at $10,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.