Not every mime remains mute. One such performer now faces accusations of terrorizing women.
A man from Massachusetts, identifiable by his signature black-and-white mime attire, has allegedly been unsettling women over several months at a well-frequented state park. Prosecutors claim he would strip to his underwear, cover himself in cooking oil, and exercise near female staff members. This disturbing behavior culminated in an incident where he collapsed in court as these charges were publicly presented.
Hernan Villagran Lux, a 29-year-old resident of Framingham, has been charged with criminal harassment. His actions reportedly disturbed three female employees of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), with one woman experiencing over 50 unsettling sightings of Lux during the past two months at a state park in Natick, near Boston.
Authorities report that all three women recognized Lux by both name and appearance, recounting incidents that intensified over time. These interactions allegedly became so distressing that the women started fearing for their safety while at work.
Earlier this week, during a court appearance, the alleged stalker, Hernan Villagran Lux, fainted when the charges against him were announced. (Boston 25 News)
The allegations have also sparked warnings on social media, where people across several Massachusetts communities said they recognized the suspect and claimed he had approached or followed women on the nearby rail trail.
Authorities arrested Lux Sunday night on the Cochituate Rail Trail, after multiple women and park workers alleged he repeatedly approached them, stared at them and refused to leave despite repeated requests, according to Boston 25 News.
“The women report an extensive number of contacts with the defendant involving him staring at them, smiling in what they describe as ‘a really unnerving and frankly terrifying manner,'” Framingham District Court Supervisor Andrew Mange said during Monday’s court hearing.
A sign marks the entrance to Cochituate State Park in Natick, Mass., where a man is accused of repeatedly harassing female park employees over several months. (Boston 25 News)
Mange said the encounters became increasingly bold. In one incident, prosecutors allege Lux “stripped down to his underwear, slathered cooking oil all over his body and began working out right by their staff area.”
The women also reported that Lux repeatedly refused to leave the park after being asked to do so, according to the station.
Prosecutors also alleged Lux complimented one employee’s appearance, commented on her lips and refused to leave as she and coworkers abandoned their work area because they felt unsafe.
Boston 25 reported that numerous people posted on social media saying they had spotted a man matching Lux’s distinctive mime-like appearance throughout Framingham, Natick and Wayland.
Several women also claimed a man fitting the same description approached and followed them on the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Hernan Villagran Lux appears in Framingham District Court in Framingham, Mass., on criminal harassment charges stemming from allegations involving female employees at a state park outside Boston. (Boston 25 News)
“I spotted him, he looked kind of odd, but I thought he was just dressed in a costume,” neighbor Nancy Dlott told Boston 25. “It’s kind of upsetting, especially if you’re walking alone,” she added.
“I just don’t understand what goes through someone’s head to do that,” Christopher Labella told the station. “I hope this guy gets the help that he needs.”
As prosecutors continued reading the allegations in court Monday, Lux fainted and was treated on scene before proceedings resumed, according to Boston 25.
When court resumed later in the afternoon, the judge ordered Lux to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.