Serial Butt Sniffer Calese Crowder Arrested Again in Burbank

Arrests and alleged behavior

Burbank police say Crowder was taken into custody on Aug. 20 after officers responded to a report that a man had been seen sniffing a woman’s rear end inside a retail store. Officers located the suspect and placed him under arrest; subsequent online jail records listed a booking in Los Angeles County.

This followed an earlier Burbank arrest on July 22 at the Nordstrom Rack in the Empire Center, where surveillance footage reportedly shows a man following female shoppers, crouching behind them and sniffing their buttocks. Police later tracked the suspect to a nearby Walmart and arrested him after that scene.

Pattern of incidents and prior record

Officials and media reporting trace similar public offenses back to at least 2021. One early widely reported incident occurred at a Barnes & Noble in Glendale, where a man later identified as Crowder allegedly followed and sniffed women in the store. Multiple outlets note a long-running series of alleged lewd conduct in department stores, bookstores and shopping centers across Burbank, Glendale and nearby areas.

Video and surveillance clips circulated online have repeatedly shown the same style of behavior, which community members say underlies ongoing public safety concerns.

Police response and prosecution hurdles

Burbank police have documented Crowder as a registered sex offender and identified multiple incidents of alleged lewd behavior. Authorities, however, acknowledged limits in pressing charges when victim complaints are insufficient or when victims are reluctant to provide formal statements.

“While footage can be compelling, prosecution often depends on victim cooperation and clear complaint statements,” law enforcement sources said.

In both recent Burbank arrests the city’s police department dropped criminal charges citing a lack of complaints, even though the California Department of Corrections detained Crowder on parole violations and he remained in custody.

Parole supervision and custody

Reports indicate Crowder was held without bail by the California Department of Corrections after officials determined he was on parole at the time of the recent arrests. Online jail logs after the August arrest listed booking at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles, according to reporting.

Media, social platforms and public attention

Social media users coined the nickname “serial butt sniffer” as surveillance clips and reports circulated online. The label amplified attention and prompted coverage from national outlets including FOX, KOMO and The Independent. News video footage has reinforced public unease and increased pressure on local authorities to explain their responses and charging decisions.

Video evidence circulated on social platforms is available in multiple reports and clips, including a clip referred to here as video evidence.

Implications for the Inland Empire

Public safety and business confidence: Repeated alleged incidents in Burbank and Glendale raise concerns for Inland Empire shoppers and retailers. Even when arrests happen, recurring reports of predatory conduct can reduce foot traffic, increase security costs, and erode consumer confidence in indoor retail.

Law enforcement resources: Investigations spanning jurisdictions and involving parole authorities can strain local police and detectives. The recurring nature of these alleged offenses underscores the need for coordinated responses among city and county agencies.

Victim reporting and trust: The difficulty of obtaining formal complaints highlights the need for better outreach and support from community groups and victim services so more victims feel safe reporting incidents.

Retail security and policy: Stores may review camera placement, staff training, and clear protocols for preserving footage and reporting incidents to aid investigations and prosecutions.

How residents can respond

Burbank police request that anyone who witnessed incidents or believes they were victimized come forward. The department’s Investigations Division can take reports and preserve evidence, including surveillance footage from stores and shopping centers. Even if a victim is initially reluctant, reporting later can help investigators link incidents and build cases.

• Report suspicious conduct immediately to local police and store management.
• Preserve timestamps and any available footage; provide it to investigators.
• Contact local victim service organizations for confidential support and guidance.

Reporting and sources

This article is based on reporting by multiple outlets and public records. Key sources include KOMO News, FOX 32 Chicago and The Independent, as well as video footage circulating on social platforms (video footage). Burbank Police Department statements and online jail logs referenced in those reports informed this story.