Women’s underwear prompts break-ins

PORTLAND – A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with breaking into homes and trying on women’s underwear.

Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood said at least five people have reported that somebody broke into their apartments and rummaged through their underwear. The first case was in June, and two were reported on Aug. 10 alone.

Police distributed 250 leaflets in the neighborhood, telling people about the daytime burglaries and asking them to call police if they noticed anything suspicious.

On Saturday, somebody did and police arrested the boy.

The suspect, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, has been charged with invasion of privacy. Chitwood said he will also be charged with burglary.

“We are concerned that his activity was a precursor to violent sexual behavior,” Chitwood said.

Dean Wright, who teaches sociology at Drake University and is an expert in juvenile delinquency, said the boy’s behavior – while troubling – does not guarantee a violent future.

Wright said that “it’s usually indicative that the person needs some kind of psychological or psychiatric help. It’s usually a manifestation of a kind of fetish – a fetish with women’s underwear.”