The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Alert passenger spots him twice in same day
[ By Mark Reaman ]
A 52-year-old Fort Collins man was arrested Thursday, March 18 near Brush Creek Road on a number of charges stemming from lewd acts allegedly being conducted on an RTA bus. The man is facing charges of Endangering Public Transportation, Indecent Exposure, Disorderly Conduct and False Reporting to Authorities.
According to the Mt. Crested Butte Police Department, a woman passenger who was on a northbound bus at around 10:30 a.m. had made a report seeing a man sitting across the aisle from her masturbating. She alerted bus personnel who attempted to catch the man but were unsuccessful. She also took a phone video of the man as he exited the bus.
Later that day, the woman was heading south when she saw the man get on the bus in Crested Butte. The driver pulled over at the Brush Creek bus stop to wait for law enforcement but the man got off the bus before they arrived. The woman sent her video to the police officers to help them identify the man in question.
According to the Mt. Crested Butte police arrest affidavit, officers searched the area and a man down by the Slate River started walking away when officers approached. The man claimed to be taking pictures but did not have a camera or phone in his hand. He gave a name and birthdate but said he didn’t have his I.D. The police officer saw his wallet and asked him to produce an I.D., which he did, but it was not the name he initially provided officers. He also attempted to hide his jacket and ball cap. He was placed under arrest at about 7:10 p.m.
The woman who reported the incident told officers that when he got on the evening southbound bus he deliberately walked to the rear of the bus to sit across the aisle from another young single female. The arrest warrant noted that a criminal history of the man shows that he has been charged with indecent exposure-masturbation on at least two other occasions as well as other sex related crimes.
RTA executive director Scott Truex said safety for every passenger is a priority of the organization. “The RTA and our contractor are cooperating with authorities and we sincerely regret that this incident occurred,” he said. “We are proud of the services we provide for our valley and this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Our passengers and staff all deserve to be treated with respect. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this crime and we are committed to continue doing everything we can at all times to ensure the safety of every one of our passengers.”
The suspect will appear in court for his Appearance on Bond on April 13 at 9 a.m. His bond was set at $15,000.00 cash or surety.
