BUSD Employee Accused Of Lewd Conduct At Elementary School: Cops

BERKELEY, CA – A Berkeley Unified School District employee was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of engaging in lewd conduct at a Berkeley elementary school, police said.

The suspect, identified as a 61-year-old Anthony Orosco of Richmond, was arrested “in connection to several previous incidents at an elementary school where a man was reported in the area engaged in suspicious or inappropriate behavior,” police said.

Orosco was arrested on suspicion engaging in lewd conduct and ten counts of annoying/molesting a victim under 18, police said.

BUSD Superintendent Brent Stephens in a letter to the school district community confirmed that the suspect is a district employee who worked as a custodian.

Just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to Sylvia Mendez Elementary School on a report of a that was circling the school, police said.

According to school officials, this same vehicle had circled the school on at least 10 prior occasions, police said.

The suspect’s vehicle – a 2007 black Lexus LS460 – was associated with a previous incident in which a man was seen possibly masturbating outside of Sylvia Mendez Elementary school in January, police said.

When officers arrived, they found the Lexus parked on the north side of the school (Oregon Street) and detained the driver, police said.

Inside the vehicle, officers found several items of concern—including a hunting-style knife, gloves, duct tape, and a bundle of zip ties, police said.

“Since the arrest, we have learned that this individual is a BUSD employee,” Stephens’ letter said.

“He works currently as a custodian at Rosa Parks Elementary School and has been substituting at other BUSD campuses during this school year.”

Orosco previously worked as a custodian at Sylvia Mendez, Stephens said.

“The district takes this incident very seriously. BUSD Human Resources has placed this individual on leave. He will not be working at any BUSD site pending the findings of this investigation and will be prohibited from all BUSD facilities during this period. School staff has been asked to report this vehicle to their principal and the police if it is seen near any BUSD school,” Stephens said.

“We are working closely with the Berkeley Police Department to assemble the facts related to this arrest and will update the community with any relevant new information.”

Stephens’ letter includes links to resources for talking to children about their personal safetly.

“I want to assure you that the safety of our students is a top priority for the district,” Stephens said.

“We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as they complete any investigation regarding this matter.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the BPD’s Youth Services Unit at (510) 981-5715.