Calese Carron Crowder arrested again in Burbank; registered sex offender nicknamed “serial ‘butt sniffer'” taken into custody
Calese Carron Crowder, a registered sex offender nicknamed the “serial ‘butt sniffer'” on social media, was arrested again in Burbank on Aug. 20, 2025, after surveillance allegedly showed him sniffing a woman’s buttocks in a store.
Key takeaways
- Repeat arrests: Crowder was taken into custody in Burbank on Aug. 20, 2025, marking a second arrest in two months for similar alleged conduct.
- Detention due to parole: The immediate complaint was reportedly dropped for “insufficient complaint,” but Crowder remained held on a parole hold by the California Department of Corrections.
- Authorities seek victims: Burbank police urge anyone who believes they were a victim or who has information to contact the department’s Investigations Division.
Key information
- Name: Calese Carron Crowder, 38 (reported age)
- Location: Arrested in Burbank at about 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025; booked into the Burbank Police Department early Thursday morning — also reported by Fox LA.
- Allegations: Loitering and allegedly sniffing a woman’s buttocks inside a store, with surveillance video reportedly capturing the behavior; also covered by The Independent.
- Prior incident: Arrested July 22, 2025, after alleged lewd behavior at a Nordstrom Rack in Burbank’s Empire Center; Burbank City Attorney filed loitering-with-intent charges (also reported by The Independent).
- Detention: After the latest arrest, the immediate case was reported as dropped for an “insufficient complaint,” but Crowder was held without bail by the California Department of Corrections because of a parole violation — detailed in reports from Fox 32 Chicago and Fox LA.
- Criminal history: Officers describe a documented pattern of similar arrests and lewd conduct cases in Burbank and neighboring Glendale dating back to at least 2021 (KOMO/Komonews; Fox LA).
Details of the latest arrest
Burbank police say officers responded to a call at a retail store after staff or customers reported suspicious behavior. According to media reports, surveillance footage showed Crowder loitering near a woman and allegedly sniffing her rear end. He was taken into custody at about 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 20 and was booked into the Burbank Police Department the next morning (Fox 32 Chicago; KOMO/Komonews).
Burbank police later indicated the immediate case was dropped for an “insufficient complaint.” Still, Crowder remained in custody due to parole issues and an action by the California Department of Corrections, which placed a hold because his parole status reportedly allowed continued detention (Fox 32 Chicago; Fox LA).
Pattern of conduct and prior cases
This arrest follows another high-profile incident on July 22, 2025, when Crowder was accused of following a woman inside the Nordstrom Rack at Burbank’s Empire Center. Video from that event allegedly showed him crouching near the customer and engaging in what police described as lewd behavior by sniffing her buttocks. After that arrest, the Burbank City Attorney filed a charge of loitering with intent to commit a crime. Crowder was reportedly released from jail on Aug. 9 and, according to reports, reoffended within two weeks (KOMO/Komonews; The Independent).
Police say Crowder has a documented history of similar arrests for lewd conduct in both Burbank and Glendale going back at least to 2021. Those prior contacts with law enforcement form part of what authorities describe as a recurring pattern, prompting public warnings and appeals to potential victims to report incidents (KOMO/Komonews).
Law enforcement response and public appeals
Burbank police have publicly asked anyone who believes they may have been a victim to contact the department’s Investigations Division. The department has not released full details about the current charges, and no statements from Crowder’s legal counsel or from any alleged victims have appeared in public reports so far (KOMO/Komonews; Fox 32 Chicago).
“If you believe you were a victim or have information, please contact the Burbank Police Investigations Division,” officials said in appeals reported by local media.
Media coverage and community reaction
The unusual and repeated nature of the alleged behavior has drawn attention on social media and in news outlets, where Crowder has been labeled the “serial ‘butt sniffer'”. Coverage has focused on the apparent pattern of incidents in shopping centers and retail stores, sparking concern among shoppers and store employees. Retail locations, especially those with large women’s departments, have reportedly seen heightened alertness after the July and August incidents (KATU; KOMO/Komonews; Fox LA).
Retailers have not publicly detailed changes to their security protocols in response to these incidents, but the use of surveillance video in the reported cases highlights the role of store cameras in documenting alleged misconduct (KOMO/Komonews; The Independent).
What’s not yet public
At this time reports do not include detailed charges stemming from the Aug. 20 incident, statements from any alleged victims, or comments from Crowder’s attorney. Further legal developments, such as formal filings or court dates, are likely to appear in future police updates or court records. News outlets covering earlier reports include Fox 32 Chicago, KOMO/Komonews, Fox LA, and The Independent.
Implications for Los Angeles
Economic impact
- Retail confidence: Repeated public incidents in shopping centers can reduce shopper confidence, potentially lowering foot traffic in affected stores and nearby businesses.
- Business costs: If stores add security personnel, install more cameras, or alter layouts for safety, those added expenses could affect small businesses in Burbank and surrounding Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Political consequences
- Local accountability: City leaders and law enforcement may face questions about supervision, parole enforcement, and public safety measures following repeated incidents.
- Policy debate: The cases may prompt discussion among local policymakers about parole supervision, reporting mechanisms, and resources for victim support.
Social effects
- Public safety concerns: Shoppers, particularly women, may feel less safe in retail settings; community groups might push for more transparency and policing.
- Victim reporting: Police appeals for victims to come forward may lead to increased reporting that helps investigations and provides support to affected individuals.
Cultural relevance
- Public conversation: The nickname and viral coverage show how social media shapes local narratives about crime, but catchy labels can oversimplify complex legal and social issues.
- Community norms: Incidents may spur conversations about respect in public spaces and how communities protect vulnerable people.
Practical applications for residents
- Stay aware: Shoppers should remain alert, report suspicious behavior to store staff or police, and consider shopping with companions.
- Preserve evidence: If witnessing misconduct, preserve any video or photos and share them with law enforcement to support investigations.
- Contact authorities: Burbank police have asked anyone who may have been a victim or who has information to contact the department’s Investigations Division (KOMO/Komonews).
For ongoing coverage and updates
Readers can consult the original reports and ongoing coverage at these outlets:
