Serial Minneapolis peeping tom has long criminal history, could face more charges

Local News Serial Minneapolis peeping tom has long criminal history, could face more charges By Frankie McLister Frankie McLister Reporter Frankie McLister, originally from Middletown, Maryland, holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Read Full Bio Frankie McLister Updated on: October 9, 2026 / 7:20 AM CDT / CBS Minnesota Add CBS News on Google A man alleged to be a serial peeping tom in Minneapolis was arrested again earlier this week.Police say John Searle is connected to several cases near the University of Minnesota in the Dinkytown, Como and Marcy-Holmes neighborhoods. "I think it's really disgusting," said Winter Manisto, a Minneapolis resident. "We heard from our neighbors a few units down that there was somebody going to homes with an iPad looking through windows," said Noah Smetmaka, a Minneapolis resident.Searle is facing multiple charges for interfering with privacy. Court documents say he was caught looking into women's windows near the university in July. Searle was caught doing it again this past Monday, which is when he was arrested. A Minneapolis resident said it was their neighbor's security camera that caught him in the act.Searle's criminal record includes 10 previous convictions for stalking or interfering with privacy dating back to 1995. "I'm glad that they caught him," said Smetanka. "Definitely makes this neighborhood feel a little bit safer." "You can't help but wonder if you're safe in your house anymore," said Manisto. Investigators say Searle was caught with video recordings in some of his previous cases. He was taken into custody but was released Thursday night.Prosecutors say that Searle is an "extreme risk to public safety." Investigators say more charges are likely to come.  In: University of Minnesota Crime Minneapolis Featured Local Savings State trooper rescues residents from burning Minneapolis home, fire official says Woman charged in Minneapolis nightclub mass shooting that injured 9 Tattoo helps police identify suspect in Clayton County rape case Documentary "They're Here" leans on horror conventions to portray ICE surge "Young male" shot dead off East Lake Street, Minneapolis police say K-9s to search "house of horrors" for clues in Horsch investigation, sources say Rancho Cucamonga police warn homeowners to be wary of hidden cameras 2nd suspect arrested in deadly Gwinnett County triple shooting