Starkville Police Department officials are looking into reports of an alleged peeping tom snooping around apartment complexes south of Academy Road.
SPD Sgt. Steve Lyle said the report was made by a young woman.
“At this time, from the description the young woman gave us, we are looking for an average white male with a stocky build,” Lyle said.
The report given by the woman is the only formal report police have received, but there have been multiple unconfirmed reports of a peeping tom around the area, SPD detectives said.
Police arrested Leresche Avant of Maben last week in connection with a separate voyeurism incident off Garrard Road, SPD detectives said.
“The man has a warrant out for his arrest in Pickens County, Ala., for a probation violation and sexual abuse conviction,” Lyle said. “The man is still in custody here in Starkville and will likely be transported back to Alabama for trial.”
As of Thursday, no new developments in the investigation had occurred, SPD Lt. Maurice Johnson said.
“The investigation is on-going at the present time,” Johnson said. “We are asking residents to help us out by reporting any suspicious activity to SPD or Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department.”
Residents around the area are being urged by officials to keep their window blinds closed to prevent any future incidents.
Starkville residents living in Academy Village Condominiums off Academy Road are not shrugging off the situation.
“I feel pretty safe living here,” said a female Academy Village resident who didn’t want to be identified. “Though I usually keep my doors and windows locked, I have been more alert lately after the peeping tom reporting.”
Academy Village resident Brad Grodfrey said he is surprised by the recent voyeurism incident.
“I didn’t expect something like this to occur around here,” Grodfrey said. “I will definitely be paying more attention to things going on around the area, especially suspicious activity.”
Starkville residents in other apartment complexes in the suspected area are being urged to keep a lookout, including those who live in Sleepy Hollow and Academy Place Condos off Louisville Street (Old Hwy 25), SPD detectives said.