VENTURA : Man, 31, Accused of Peeking in Window

A 31-year-old Ventura man has been arrested on suspicion of peeking through a woman’s bedroom window and is under investigation as a suspect in a series of prowler-related crimes, Ventura Police Department officials said.

John W. Maass was booked Wednesday at Ventura County Jail on suspicion of peeking and possession of burglary tools after officers observed him peering into a 25-year-old woman’s Ventura apartment, authorities said.

“We’ve known that this was happening,” Officer Rick French said. “It’s been something we’ve been looking for.”

While on surveillance Wednesday morning, Officer Mark Coronado saw a man approaching a bedroom window near Hill and Webster streets--an area where many prowlers have been reported, police officials said.

The man appeared to be manipulating the blinds through the window screen with an object, which authorities later determined to be a bent piece of wire they found in the suspect’s possession, officials said.

Police officials said the man was using the wire to move the blinds and afford a better view of the apartment’s female occupant. Officers also noted that several small holes had been punched in the screen.