NPD: Robbery fugitive, 27, attempts to enroll as student at Norwich high school posing as youth
On September 15 the Norwich Police Department charged a 27-year-old man with criminal impersonation after an investigation found he was attempting to access minors at the YMCA and enroll as a student at a local high school. He is also wanted for robbery and impersonating police. (Sun file photo)
NORWICH - On Monday, September 15, the Norwich Police Department (NPD) arrested a 27-year-old man who was allegedly posing as a youth to enroll as a student at the Norwich high school and gain access to the Norwich YMCA.
City of Norwich Deputy Police Chief Scott Burlison said an investigation by detectives began after Caleb Jireh Alexander, 27, of Columbus, Ohio, allegedly posed as a younger person to engage with minors at the Norwich YMCA and raised staff alarm.
As police looked into the matter they found another incident relating to the Norwich high school.
Burilison said, “During the investigation, detectives learned that Alexander later went to Norwich High School, where he allegedly used a false name, date of birth, and address in an attempt to enroll and gain access to the school. Detectives located Alexander a short time later, and he was taken into custody without incident.”
Alexander was charged with second degree criminal impersonation.
“During the course of our investigation, we have not found any children to have been harmed, and the suspect never made it beyond the high school office. We want to reassure the community that there is no evidence of injury to students,” said Burilison.
Upon further inquiry police also revealed that Alexander had an outstanding warrant out of the state of Ohio for charges relating to robbery and impersonating a police officer.
Ohio authorities confirmed they intend to extradite Alexander to face those charges, said Burilison.
“Although Mr. Alexander’s true intentions are not yet fully known, Norwich City School staff did an exceptional job recognizing that something wasn’t right. Our detectives quickly tracked down leads and our patrol units did an excellent job locating the suspect after being briefed on Mr. Alexander’s description. Cohesion and teamwork prevailed to get this individual into custody and off the streets,” said the Deputy Chief.
Alexander is currently being held pending an extradition hearing in Chenango County Court.
The Norwich Police Department thanked the Norwich City School District and YMCA staff for their vigilance and cooperation during this investigation.
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