Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended 65-year-old Rene Santiago from Ocoee last night, following accusations of peering into several occupied apartment windows after sunset.
Around 9:38 p.m. on February 21, a Gainesville Police Department officer arrived at Victoria Station, located on the 3500 block of SW 30th Way. A resident had reported spotting someone tampering with her window. When she looked out, the individual allegedly walked away.
The officer observed Santiago moving along the outside of apartment units, allegedly peering into the windows. In one instance, Santiago reportedly leaned in for a better view. He was neither on the phone nor knocking on doors to reach someone specific; instead, he allegedly moved from one window to another, gazing inside, with nightfall already upon the area.
Upon identifying himself as law enforcement, the officer instructed Santiago to halt, but Santiago allegedly turned away and began to walk briskly. When the officer repeated the command, Santiago reportedly broke into a run.
After the officer caught up with him, Santiago allegedly resisted being handcuffed.
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.
