Oakland police say they have a man in custody they believe is tied to a series of unnerving prowling incidents in East Oakland, and they are now asking anyone who thinks they were targeted to speak up.
The department has identified the suspect as 62-year-old Casimiro Munoz Gomez and says the reports involve a man slipping into yards, peering into occupied homes, and engaging in behavior residents described as inappropriate. Officers say they made an arrest earlier this week and stress that the investigation is very much still active.
Police Name Suspect on Department X Account
In a post on X, the Oakland Police Department publicly identified the suspect as 62-year-old Casimiro Munoz Gomez and urged anyone who believes they were victims or has information to contact investigators, according to the Oakland Police Department. The department notes on its profile that the account is run by the OPD media unit and is not routinely monitored, so anyone facing an emergency is instructed to call 9-1-1 rather than rely on social media.
OPD requests that community members contact us if they believe they were victims or have information about prowling incidents involving 62-year-old Casimiro Munoz Gomez.
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) March 11, 2026
More belowhttps://t.co/aan9H9FzZp pic.twitter.com/2GKdVB0uPz
Arrest Made Late Monday Morning Near Fruitvale
Patrol officers located and arrested a man just before 11 AM on Monday in the 3700 block of Carrington Street, near Fruitvale, the Oakland Police Department said, a development reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. At the time of that announcement, the Chronicle noted, police had not yet publicly released the man’s name.
Detectives Link Cases Going Back Months
According to a City of Oakland public safety advisory, detectives have connected at least six reports beginning Dec. 13, 2025 and say they are aware of additional reports as far back as March 2025 involving a person entering yards, looking into occupied homes, and behaving in ways that residents deemed inappropriate, per the City of Oakland. Officials say the most recent calls have clustered in the Maxwell Park area between about 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
In response, OPD command staff has boosted patrols in the affected neighborhoods while investigators comb through surveillance footage and witness statements, looking for additional incidents that might fit the same pattern.
What the Law Says About Prowling
Legal references note that loitering, prowling or peeking into an occupied dwelling can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor under California Penal Code section 647. A conviction can carry up to six months in county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine, although the exact charges depend on what investigators determine about the conduct and intent, according to Shouse Law. More invasive behavior, such as secretly recording someone, can trigger additional or different counts.
How to Reach Investigators
Anyone who believes they were a victim, or who has photos or video that might be relevant, is asked to contact the OPD Special Victims Unit at (510) 238-3641, according to the City of Oakland advisory. Police say that in an emergency, residents should call 9-1-1, and that tips and camera footage could help detectives uncover more cases tied to the same suspect.
Neighbors told local news outlets they are relieved by the arrest but are not letting their guard down, and officials continue to urge residents to report suspicious activity and share security camera footage with police, as reported by KTVU. The investigation is ongoing, and OPD says it plans to release further details as they are confirmed.
