University of Colorado Police today arrested Thomas Corwin-Smith, 6-22-75, on charges of harassment and Unlawful Conduct on Public Property for an incident involving a female CU student.
At approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Corwin-Smith reportedly approached the woman from behind while she was crossing on the south side of the 19th Street footbridge over Boulder Creek, and began making sexually suggestive comments to her. He then grabbed her by the shoulder, pulled her back and stepped in front of her, saying, "You're pretty."
The woman quickly fled to the University Memorial Center where she called police. She was physically unhurt in the encounter.
Shortly after UCPD officers were dispatched, an anonymous caller phoned UCPD from the Dal Ward building. The caller stated a male who matched the description of the suspect had just shoved an unknown man outside the building. Shortly after that, an employee at CU's Facilities Management Desk reported a male who matched the suspect's description was attempting to climb a fence at the northeast corner of Folsom Stadium.
Officers arrived near that location and contacted Corwin-Smith. Subsequent investigation led to the belief that Corwin-Smith was the man reported in the harassment of the victim near 19th Street. He was arrested and charged with Harassment and with Unlawful Conduct on Public Property for a violation of a warning he received on 9-19-08, when he was contacted at a CU football game for making bothersome comments to women near the stadium.
Because Corwin-Smith has a substantial criminal history, CU officials are working with other law enforcement authorities in Boulder to determine if Corwin-Smith has any connection to other recent crimes in the area. That investigation is ongoing, and CU and Boulder law enforcement officials stress that it is not known at this time whether or not such a connection exists.
UCPD is asking the media to not use Corwin-Smith's booking photograph in deference to the ongoing investigations.
CU and city officials advise the public to continue to follow safety protocols outlined in communications to the community last week and available at
www.colorado.edu/news/r/13eb3e54ce218fc726b1142fc52a056b.html
-UCPD-
