Stalker Assaulted Girl After Visits to Her House: Police

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Authorities say a case of stalking escalated in less than two weeks from a man following a girl to the suspect grabbing her on an Annapolis sidewalk.

Annapolis Police on Thursday charged Brian Vargas, 21, of Annapolis, with stalking and other criminal counts. The 17-year-old victim says Vargas had been following her for about a week and a half.

The case began on Jan. 30 when the victim’s family reported that a man they didn’t know – now identified as Vargas -- came to the house and asked, by name, for the 17-year-old girl who lives there.

Two days later, Vargas reportedly tapped on the teenager’s window. The family told police on Wednesday that the suspect entered the unlocked rear door of the house when another family member was at home.

Thursday afternoon the girl was walking home in the 900 bock of Forest Hills Avenue when Vargas first walked with her and then picked her up by her arms and forcefully slammed her on the ground, police say. The teen called the police and Vargas fled into the rear yard of the home where police found him.

Police say Vargas was identified as the same man who came to the girl’s house in the previous incidents.

Vargas was arrested and charged with first- and fourth-degree burglary, stalking, harassment, two counts of trespassing, and assault.

He is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center on a temporary commitment before his hearing before the District Court Commissioner.

What To Do If You Are Victim of Stalker

Send a Clear Message: If you have contact with your stalker and feel safe doing so, tell him or her clearly and firmly to leave you alone. Don’t engage in a drawn-out conversation.

Never confront a stalker alone. Have a witness present when you tell him or her to leave you alone.

Document Everything: Take photos, video and save evidence such as notes or emails. Contact the police any time you feel uncomfortable or afraid based on someone else’s actions toward you or your family.

Install a Home Security System: Once you have one, use it consistently.

Tell Others: The more people who know, the more people you’ll have looking out for you and your family. Provide photos and vehicle descriptions to everyone.

Limit Social Media Use: Watch what you post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. At the very least, change your Facebook settings to “private” and refrain from posting information about where you are and where you’re going.

Change Phone Numbers, Locks and Patterns of Behavior: Most people drive the same route to work, run the same loop around the neighborhood, stop for coffee at the same time each morning.