Caught on security cameras: Serial 'butt sniffer' arrested in California
A 39-year-old man was arrested in California after being filmed in stores bending down behind customers and attempting to sniff them. It has emerged that he is a serial offender with a history of similar incidents. The suspect is currently in custody without the possibility of bail.
A disturbing phenomenon in California: A man known to local police and dubbed with the dubious nickname 'butt sniffer' was arrested last Friday in the city of Glendale, following new reports of inappropriate behavior at two different local businesses. The suspect, 39-year-old Kless Crowder, is currently being held in custody without the possibility of bail on suspicion of violating his parole conditions, as reported on Wednesday by NBC Los Angeles.
According to the Glendale Police report, the arrest was made after two businesses reported a man acting suspiciously and bending down around people. Law enforcement officials stated that one of the locations was a branch of the clothing chain 'Marshalls'. Simultaneously, a 911 call was received from a grocery store on Glenoaks Street, where customers reported a man bending down behind them and attempting to sniff them.
After reviewing security footage from both locations, investigators identified Crowder as the suspect. He was located and arrested shortly thereafter.
Serial offender and parole violations
Crowder is not a new name to law enforcement. The suspect has a long history of similar offenses in the Glendale and Burbank area, documented since 2021. In July 2025, Crowder was arrested at a 'Nordstrom Rack' branch in Burbank after being reported for wandering in the women's department and sexually harassing a customer. A month later, in August, he was arrested again on suspicion of sniffing a woman inside a 'Walgreens' branch in Burbank.
Later, in November, Crowder was arrested at his home by the Glendale Police assault unit for failing to comply with the annual registration requirement as a sex offender for over two months. At the time of the arrest, he was on probation for a burglary offense.
Following his parole violations, Crowder was sentenced in December to 99 days in prison. This past April, he appeared before a judge again due to further violations and was sentenced to an additional 105 days in prison.
Police noted that the investigation into the recent incidents is ongoing, and the case is expected to be transferred to the prosecution to consider filing additional criminal charges.
