Indecent exposure suspect arrested

Article by UDaily staff Photo courtesy of Newark Police Department October 28, 2017

Newark, UD Police arrest New Jersey man in indecent exposure cases

Newark and University of Delaware Police have arrested a 57-year-old Morristown, New Jersey, man in connection with several incidents that have occurred throughout the city.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., Sept. 15, Newark Police responded to the unit block of South Chapel Street where a 20-year-old female UD student reported that an unknown person moved a chair from the front porch to the side of the house, then knocked on a side door, where a lewd and harassing note was found on the chair.

At approximately 1 a.m., Sept. 16, Newark Police responded to the 100 block of East Main Street, where a 21-year-old female UD student reported that an unknown white male suspect was observed standing naked near her vehicle while masturbating. The suspect fled on foot.

Around 1:28 a.m., Sept. 16, Newark Police responded to the 200 block of East Main Street, where two 19-year-old female UD students reported that they were walking through a parking lot when a naked white male emerged from behind a set of dumpsters. The male was holding his clothes and spoke to the victims before jogging away.

On Oct. 15, UD Police investigated an indecent exposure incident that occurred near the Roselle Center for the Arts.

Gerald Picerno

The Newark Police Evidence Detection Unit was able to recover fingerprints from the letter left at the scene of the South Chapel Street incident, which came back to Gerald Picerno. Using an image from the University’s system of surveillance cameras, Newark and UD investigators further identified Picerno, and he surrendered at Newark Police headquarters on Oct. 27. He has no affiliation with the University.

Picerno was charged with three counts of lewdness, five counts of indecent exposure, two counts of third degree trespass and one count of harassment. Picerno was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 2, where he received $5,500 unsecured bond. He was ordered to have no contact with the University, the city of Newark or the victims.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact UD Police at 302-831-2224 or Newark Police at 302-366-7100 ext. 3406. An anonymous text message tip can be texted to 302NPD, with the message to TIP411. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐TIP‐3333 or via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, where a reward may be available.

Safety tips

UD Police shared the following safety tips:

• Avoid walking alone at night. Walk with a group, ride a UD shuttle bus or call 302-831-2222 for a walking escort.

• Show a confident attitude and be alert and aware of your surroundings. Follow common sense safety precautions at all times.

• Report all suspicious activity by calling 911 from on or off campus.

Members of the UD community may download a free smartphone app, LiveSafe, that lets users submit tips to police, receive important broadcast notifications and contact the University of Delaware Police Department directly. To learn more, visit this UD Police website.

For members of the UD community who experience sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence or stalking, the University’s Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.) program provides crisis support and victim advocacy and is available 24/7 by calling 302-831-1001 and pressing one or online at www.udel.edu/sos. Learn more about survivor options and resources at www.udel.edu/sexualmisconduct.

Visit this website to subscribe for a UD Crime Alert email whenever an article about a police investigation is posted on UDaily.