Resident of Hawthorne Park apartments arrested for peeping, sexual assault

A Jefferson City man is in custody on allegations of repeated sexual misconduct and other crimes, all of which took place across his apartment complex.

Anthony Craig, 19, is accused of ” peeping into (residents’) windows while masturbating,” according to Jefferson City police Lt. Patrick McCutchen.

In a statement, police said Craig was arrested at 5:30 a.m. Friday after officers saw him inappropriately touching himself outside of an apartment window.

“When officers confronted the suspect he fled to a nearby apartment. He broke open the door of the apartment, causing damage, and hid in the back room where officers were able to take him into custody,” the statement said.

“Numerous” complaints have been filed by residents of Hawthorne Park apartments about similar behavior. One woman was “fondled” after finding Craig inside her apartment, police said.

Police said after Craig was arrested, he confessed to the sexual misconduct and to breaking into the woman’s apartment.

“Craig admitted to entering the apartment with the purpose of masturbating, but was interrupted when the resident discovered him,” the statement said.

Craig faces charges of burglary, resisting arrest, property damage, assault, sexual abuse and six counts of sexual misconduct. He is being held in the Cole County Jail.