October 28, 2017 - Newark and University of Delaware Police have arrested a 57-year-old Morristown, New Jersey, man in connection with several incidents which occurred throughout the city.

On September 15^th at approximately 10:30 p.m. the Newark Police responded to the unit block of South Chapel Street where a 20-year-old female UD student reported that an unknown subject moved a chair from the front porch to the side of the house, then knocked on a side door, where a lewd and harassing note was found on the chair.

On September 16^th at approximately 1:00 a.m. the Newark Police responded to the 100 block of East Main Street, where a 21-year-old female UD student reported that an unknown white male suspect was observed standing naked near her vehicle while masturbating. The suspect fled on foot.

On September 16^th at approximately 1:28 a.m. the Newark Police responded to the 200 block of East Main Street, where two 19-year-old female UD students reported that they were walking through a parking lot when a naked white male emerged from behind a set of dumpsters. The male was holding his clothes and spoke to the victim’s before jogging away.

University of Delaware Police investigated an indecent exposure incident that occurred Oct. 15^th near the Roselle Center for the Arts on the University’s Newark campus.

The Newark Police Evidence Detection Unit was able to recover fingerprints from the letter left at the scene of the South Chapel Street incident, which came back to Gerald Picerno. Using an image from the University’s system of surveillance cameras, Newark and UD investigators further identified Gerald Picerno, and he surrendered at Newark Police headquarters on Oct. 27. He has no affiliation with the University.

Picerno was charged with three counts of lewdness, five counts of indecent exposure, two counts of third degree trespass and one count of harassment. Picerno was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 2, where he received $5,500 unsecured bond. He was ordered to have no contact with the University, the city of Newark or the victims.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact UD Police at 302-831-2224 or Newark Police at 302-366-7100 ext. 3406.

You can send an anonymous text message tip by texting 302NPD and your message to TIP411. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐TIP‐3333 or via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com where a reward may be available.

The Newark Police Department affirms that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt