Suspect Arrested After Visit to Currier 'Friend'

A call from an alert student led to the arrest of an intruder in Currier House early Saturday evening.

Charles G. Reid, 45, of Tremont Street in Boston, was arrested by the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) for trespassing.

Robert F. Bittencourt '01 was walking out of his fourth-floor suite in Tuchman Hall when he noticed Reid walking down the hall.

"When he saw me he freaked out," said Bittencourt, who is also a Crimson executive.

He said that Reid proceeded to knock on a door across the hall.

Bittencourt said he asked Reid what he was doing, and that Reid responded that he was looking for Steve--an occupant in the room across the hall. Bittencourt said he knew that Steve, a football player, had been at The Game on Saturday and could not have returned yet.

"Steve's name was right there on the door, so I was suspicious," Bittencourt said. "I asked him, 'How do you know Steve?'"

At that point, Bittencourt said, Reid became agitated and began to sputter.

"I told him to take it easy," Bittencourt said. Then Bittencourt closed and locked his suite door and called HUPD, which logged the call at 5:30 p.m.

Three officers responded and located Reid after a brief search of the building.

Officer Kevin Bryant placed Reid in custody following a field interview.

"[Reid's] story didn't hold up," said HUPD spokesperson Peggy A. McNamara.

She said that Reid has "used numerous aliases" in the past.

HUPD determined that Reid had been admitted to Currier House by the bells-desk clerk after telling the clerk he was a dining services employee.

Bittencourt said that police told him Reid had gotten out of jail seven months ago, after serving 10 years for armed robbery.

HUPD did not confirm Reid's previous record because of confidentiality issues.

"Harvard University police have had contact with this individual in the past," McNamara said.