Sex Offender Accused Of Prowling In Cabrillo College Bathroom

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A 25-year-old man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly prowling in a women's bathroom at Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz County sheriff's officials said. The victim saw the suspect, 25-year-old Kenneth Wilder, looking under stalls and allegedly making threats at about noon in a bathroom on the campus at 6500 Soquel Drive in Aptos.

The 20-year-old woman tried to confront Wilder as he was leaving the bathroom, but he pushed a door shut that hit the victim's head, sheriff's deputies said. Wilder fled from the area and the victim contacted sheriff's deputies to report the crime.

Deputies were able to identify Wilder through security footage from the college, and arrested him later at a Target store in Capitola.

Wilder is a registered sex offender who lives in Santa Cruz, according to the sheriff's office. He was booked into jail on suspicion of a number of offenses, including false imprisonment, being a sex offender on school grounds and peeking while loitering.

He is being held in Santa Cruz County Jail without bail for the alleged crimes and a parole violation.

The sheriff's office is trying to track down any other victims. Anyone with information about this case or other incidents should contact Sergeant Chris Shearer at 831.454.7648 or email at Christopher.Shearer@santacruzcounty.us

By Bay City News

Photos courtesy Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office