California man arrested after shoppers reported him sniffing people in Glendale store
Police say a 39-year-old registered sex offender was arrested in Glendale after reports he was sniffing shoppers and violating parole.
A man with a record of similar accusations was arrested in California after police said shoppers reported him sniffing people inside a discount store. The arrest did not end with a simple removal from the store. Officers said it also amounted to a parole violation tied to earlier cases.
Glendale police were called to the Big Sav Discount Store on Glenoaks Boulevard on Friday, August 29, after receiving reports of a suspicious man who appeared to be sniffing shoppers while they looked through the store.
Officers identified the man as 39-year-old Calese Crowder. Police said he was found hunkered down between shoppers. Store employees recognized him as well. Staff told police it was the third time they had seen Crowder behaving inappropriately there, and they contacted officers again when they saw him in the store.
The incident at Big Sav was not the only complaint linked to him that day. Police said there were multiple reports involving Crowder, including after he left the first store.
The case drew immediate attention because police said Crowder has been arrested for similar conduct before. He was arrested in 2023 and again in 2025 over comparable accusations, and complaints about his behavior had been made as far back as 2021.
Crowder is also a registered sex offender, according to police. Because he was on parole, the latest arrest is expected to carry consequences beyond the new allegation itself. Police said the conduct led to his arrest on August 29 for violating parole, and that he will remain in custody until a hearing on the new case.
One earlier episode became widely visible online. In the 2023 incident, video posted to TikTok showed Crowder near a woman who was recording. He later said he had been tying his shoelaces rather than sniffing her.
This latest arrest leaves little mystery about the immediate outcome. Whatever argument Crowder may offer about what happened in the store, police treated the reports seriously enough to take him into custody again, and the parole issue means the matter now moves to a hearing rather than ending at the store door.
Personal space and consent in public
In crowded places, people are expected to share space, but they are not expected to accept intrusive attention. Following closely, leaning in, sniffing, blocking movement, or making repeated comments about someone’s body can feel threatening even without physical contact. Consent matters outside sexual situations too. A person does not owe conversation, explanation, or politeness when they feel uncomfortable.
A useful rule is simple: if the behavior focuses on another person’s body in a way a reasonable stranger would not welcome, back off immediately. If you are on the receiving end, moving away, saying "Do not come closer" in a clear voice, and getting near staff or other shoppers are practical first steps.
What shops can do, and what bystanders can do
A shop is usually private property that invites the public in under basic conduct rules. Staff can ask someone to stop disruptive behavior, leave the premises, or wait for security or police if they believe customers are being harassed. The exact powers vary by place, but stores generally have broad discretion to protect customers and employees.
If you witness troubling behavior, avoid escalating it alone unless there is immediate danger. A practical approach is to stay nearby, ask the targeted person a simple question like whether they want help, and alert staff with a concrete description of what you saw. If you are the one being confronted about your own behavior, the safest move is to stop, create distance, and leave if asked. Arguing about intent rarely helps in the moment. Boundaries are judged by impact as much as by motive.
