Salem Police Arrest Suspect Who Grabbed Women From His Bike

Police say the suspect was already under supervision as a sex offender convicted of Rape.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police have arrested a suspect who they say rode his bicycle up behind women and grabbed them in the buttocks on June 9th in southeast Salem.

Salem Police Lt Dave Okada says officers investigated three separate incidents June 9th, where a male suspect on a bicycle rode up behind people and attempted to grab them.

"He actually did grab two adult females in the buttocks and also attempted to grab at a 9-year old child, but was unsuccessful in actually making contact in that case," Okada said.

"On the morning of June 11th the Salem Police Department began receiving calls from the public who had seen media coverage of the incident and recognized the photos of the suspect.

Okada says officers responded to an address on State Street to check for the suspect but found he had just left on his bike.

"As other officers converged on the area they located him a short distance away and took him into custody without further incident."

He says the suspect has been identified as a 24-year old Salem resident named Thomas F Clowdus.

Okada says Clowdus is currently under the supervision of the Oregon Youth Authority for Rape, and he is also a Registered Sex Offender.

Clowdus was charged with Parole Violation, Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and transported to the Marion County Jail.