Panty Thief, 55, Arrested For The Fouth Time In Six Months

[matcom]

<snip>

SOUTH BEND -- Police say his motive for breaking into homes differs from most burglars, who usually go for pricey valuables.

Instead, 55-year-old Paul Oakes seems to be looking for only one item to steal: women's underwear.

Although it might seem humorous, police say the repeat offender can be dangerous, especially considering the great lengths Oakes goes through to take -- and sometimes wear -- the panties.

Oakes' apparent fetish has led to four arrests in the last six months and at least one crime where he was named as a suspect after allegedly filling a Viagra prescription and going into a women's dressing room with bathing suits.

His latest arrest came earlier this week for allegedly breaking into an East Bowman Street home. Prosecutors anticipate filing charges in the case by today, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.A 19-year-old man and his girlfriend reportedly heard a man prying open a screen and detained him until police arrived, according to reports.

When officers arrested the suspect, they found he was carrying a tote bag holding several pairs of women's underwear and an X-rated DVD, reports said.

It wasn't the first time Oakes frightened unsuspecting residents or was discovered with lingerie.

On Sept. 21, police were called after Oakes was seen going through a patient's vehicle at a doctor's office at 1839 S. Miami St.Oakes was arrested with four pairs of women's underwear, one pair belonging to the patient, along with her identification card. The victim reportedly did not want to press charges.

Before that, Oakes was taken into custody for trespassing Sept. 15 after being found naked in a bathroom at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, according to reports. The man was dressed when officers arrived but reportedly told them he was wearing women's underwear.

On April 18, a mother frantically called 911 from her Donald Street home after waking up to her daughter's screams in the middle of the night. She reportedly ran to her daughter's bedroom, but he was holding the door closed.

The man ran away after the woman's daughter escaped, and police caught him in the family's backyard. He allegedly had with him two pairs of female underpants, a Walkman-type radio, a prescription drug bottle with the victim's name on it and a battery-operated sexual device.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20061012&Category=News01&ArtNo=610120334&SectionCat=&Template=printart

[MrCoffee]

1. it's the last sentence that makes this story art.

"two pairs of female underpants, a Walkman-type radio, a prescription drug bottle with the victim's name on it and a battery-operated sexual device."