Menifee Dad Accused Of Stalking College Students Via Social Media, Targeting Homes, Taking Underwear
FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — "This is where he came in through the window and got access to the rest of the house," says one woman of a terrifying break-in, one of a string for the students in Orange County.
For them, their nightmare began last spring when another woman's car was burglarized. A week later, that same woman says a man stood at her bedroom window.
"I just was like barely covered, and he was standing right there staring at me through my blinds," she said. "I just screamed at the top of my lungs and tears were flooding down my face."
Days later when that woman's roommate was home alone, police say, the man broke in through her bedroom window.
"I was so terrified. I refused to sleep here again so I left that night," she said.
The girls found it odd that every one of their friends was burglarized, too, but police soon discovered the unsettling reason why:
Investigators say a man used the college coeds' social media accounts to stalk them, target their homes and steal dozens of computers, jewelry, photos and underwear.
Police identified the man as 44-year-old Arturo Galvan, a Menifee husband and a father of three.
Police say the woman posted pictures on Instagram and Facebook, and even though they didn't disclose their locations, the geotagging feature on their Instagram accounts revealed a map of their locations, which was often at their home.
"I know my account was on private, but a lot of my really good girlfriends they're on public and so it really like made me realize we shouldn't put where we are ever," said one of the women. "It could be you."
When it comes to social media accounts, police say, the best way to protect yourself is to go into your settings and to click on "never" where it asks "allow location access."