By: Kate Rogers, News Editor
On October 10 on the Gorham campus, there were two incidents of indecent exposure in which a man in a pickup truck exposed himself to two female students. Portland Police Department arrested a Sebago man on October 15 who was suspected to be involved in a different incident, according to the Portland Press Herald. After he was identified by the two students out of a photo lineup several days later, USM charged him with indecent conduct and issued a Criminal Trespass Order that prevents him from being on any property controlled by the University according to Police Chief Ronald Saindon, the Interim Director of Public Safety at USM.
Tyler Malmstrom, 28, was already being sought out in connection to several reports of indecent exposure and harassment of women in the Southern Maine area, according to the Press Herald. The vehicle he was reported to be driving was described as a rusty, dark grey 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck, according to Officer Saindon. This vehicle was identified on Forest Ave and was pulled over. Police arrested him for stolen license plates and for operating with a suspended license, but he was not immediately charged with the other related incidents as the investigation continued.
Malmstrom was charged with stalking and criminal threatening, according to a statement from the Sanford Police Department. These charges are related to several incidents in Portland, Scarborough and Sanford. The Portland PD also charged Malmstrom with hit and run according to Officer Saindon, for an incident at Dunkin Donuts on Congress St where he was in a minor car crash, according to the Press Herald.
“It’s satisfying to us to bring closure to the community,” Officer Saindon said. He does not recall any incidents like this on campus in recent years. He has been working for USM public safety for 27 years. “These sorts of incidents are few and far between … we have a … safe state and safe campuses,” Saindon said.
USM encourages students to say something if they see any suspicious activity on campus. There is an anonymous crime reporting form on the USM website, and students can call either public safety at (207) 780-5211 or 9-1-1 if the activity is in progress. As much information as possible will help officers keep the campus safe.
Malmstrom “has a criminal record dating back to 2010, including felony convictions for aggravated assault and burglary,” according to the Press Herald. It is unclear when he will stand trial for the charges.