Man at Boston College sneaking into off-campus houses to tickle sleeping students

He may be remarkably less lethal than the Boston Strangler, but a new criminal who invades the off-campus homes of Boston College (BC) students to tickle them or watch them slumber has authorities warning students to lock their doors.

Police have confirmed that the figure, who has been sporadically reported over the last two years, has been sighted at least ten times. Three students report seeing him on the night of April 7.

The tickler, who is reportedly a five-foot, eight-inch tall black male, usually operates by breaking into students’ off-campus homes and tickling their feet while they sleep. He’s able to gain access because students living off-campus often leave their doors unlocked, according to Boston P.D. Sergeant Michael O’Hara, a community service officer whose district covers the Allston and Brighton neighborhoods near BC.

“You don’t know what this guy is going to do or if he has a weapon. You need to lock your doors. It’s not as safe as you think,” O’Hara said.

Despite gaining access to students’ valuables, he has apparently never stolen anything. Some students have reported that he will watch them through their windows as he commits a sexual act.

According to O’Hara, students need to report when they encounter the tickler. He operates in an otherwise low-crime area, and the Boston P.D. patrols neighborhoods based on their crime rate.

Boston College did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

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