Police Search for Phantom Snuggler at LSU

B A T O N   R O U G E, La., Sept. 29, 2003 -- More than a dozen female students at Louisiana State University have reported that an unusual type of intruder has slipped into their open windows or unlocked doors in the middle of the night.

Just exactly what he's trying to accomplish once inside is somewhat of a mystery, according to police.

Freshman Kaylin Spence says she woke up last Sunday to find the intruder in her bed trying to embrace her.

"I woke up with a guy with his arms around my waist and realized that was not right," Spence said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America."I saw my window was wide open and he had clearly come in through the window," she said.

At first Spence thought the guy was carrying out a practical joke at the encouragement of one of the friends who were sleeping over at her home that weekend.

But when she realized the snuggler wasn't laughing, Spence became quite disturbed.

"Finally, I said, 'Who are you? What are you doing?' He's like, 'I'm Steve. I said, 'I don't know a Steve.' I said, 'Get out, I don't know you.' He said OK and got up and left," Spence said.

Spence said the same man tried to break in again about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. A security guard at the complex stopped him, but he broke away moments later.

Former Student Is Suspect

Baton Rouge police say they believe the culprit is 24-year-old Steve Danos, a former LSU student. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and City Police issued separate arrest warrants for Danos on Friday.

One of the victims' boyfriends spotted the former LSU student's license plate number on his pickup truck. Police quickly realized they had already arrested him last March.In that arrest, Danos was accused of entering an apartment and standing over a sleeping woman.

She woke when she felt someone pull on her sheets. When she asked what he was doing in her apartment, Danos said he was looking for someone named Amanda, the arrest warrant says.

East Baton Rouge prosecutor Kurt Wall says Dano was booked with two felonies — burglary and illegal entry — in that case, but pleaded guilty to entry or remaining after being forbidden. Wall says Danos has a court session Oct. 3 for the March incident.

Kelly said other female students at LSU have reported waking up to find their clothes neatly folded. Others said they woke to find all of their shoes had been perfectly arranged overnight.

The intruder hasn't harmed any of the women, but police say they believe it's just a matter of time.

'Rapist in Waiting'

"We are thankful that at this point he hasn't chosen to rape, but we review this behavior as a rapist in waiting," said Cpl. Don Kelly of the Baton Rogue Police Department.

"He's building courage, going a little farther each time. As evidenced by the lady's story this morning he crossed the threshold, by physically getting into bed and putting his hands on her [Kaylin Spence]. That is a behavior we are afraid could escalate into violence," Kelly said.

Kelly said the man sneaked into eight apartments between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. last Sunday.

Police are still looking for Danos. He's described as white, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 175 pounds.

Kelly said that in each of the reported cases, the suspect entered the residences through unlocked doors and windows.

"College students seem to be a little too trusting, a little too cavalier about taking care of the personal safety rules, which are locking those doors and windows, particularly if you're a young female and sleeping," Kelly said.

Last year LSU students were terrorized by a serial killer. Police have charged Derrick Todd Lee, a 34-year-old suspect in the LSU murders.