GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Matthew A. Billeyh, 23, was arrested after police said he followed an unfamiliar woman through a Target store and touched her buttocks. Investigators believe he may be connected to similar incidents at other stores.
The investigation began January 12, when the woman told a Gainesville Police Department officer that a man followed her while she shopped at the Target at 3970 SW Archer Road. She moved to another section of the store in an effort to avoid him, but police said he continued following her.
While the woman was in the makeup department, the man reportedly walked past her and touched her buttocks. Target employees noticed that she was upset and quickly went to assist her.
According to the responding officer, store surveillance footage captured Billeyh following the woman before briefly touching her as he walked behind her.
On August 13, a Target employee reported that Billeyh had returned to the store and was again following women. The employee also said Billeyh had touched another woman, although she chose not to report the alleged incident.
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A social media post on August 18 included a photograph of a man accused of following women in two Gainesville department stores. At least one additional image of the man appeared in responses to the post. Gainesville police confirmed that Billeyh was the person shown in the photographs, while the incidents referenced in the posts remain under investigation.
The officer wrote that the evidence indicated Billeyh was involved in “an ongoing course of criminal conduct” that was causing significant distress to the public. Based on the officer’s training and experience, the report stated that Billeyh’s conduct could escalate and that he remained an active threat to the public.
Billeyh faces charges of stalking and simple battery. He has no prior criminal history. Judge Luis Bustamante set his bail at $30,000.