‘Suspicious Individual’ Arrested

The “suspicious individual” seen loitering in areas where children gather had been arrested and was in jail at 5 p.m. on Sept. 19.

He had been arraigned with an opportunity to post bail for release, according to University Park police chief Bill Mathes.

University Park did not immediately respond to requests for information about the amount of bail or charge against the “suspicious individual.”

People Newspapers does not have information on whether the charge is related to a criminal trespass warning issued by the HPISD Police Department on Sept. 18 for all district schools.

Boone Elementary, Hyer Elementary, University Park Elementary, Highland Park High School, and Northway Christian Day School have recently messaged parents about the individual. 

Northway Christian’s email stated that the individual had been seen in areas popular with children, and had “walked down Wentwood and appeared to be taking pictures of Boone Elementary.” The message continued that “(i)mmediately, NCDS security, Boone security and UP Police were alerted and all children were brought inside.”

Once Boone became aware of the individual, the school’s on-site police officer “immediately addressed the individual regarding his presence in the area,” Boone principal Ashraf Mobh wrote in a Sept. 13 email. She reassured parents that all children were safe and the campus was operating normally.

Messages from HPISD schools have emphasized that they take all reports related to safety seriously, and thanked families for their partnership in keeping students safe.