The man accused of chasing and harassing female students on Res Road is scheduled for release from custody this Friday, Nov. 2. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department arrested Hank Lee, 37, Sept. 17 on campus for a mental health evaluation and involuntary treatment.
Pepperdine has secured a restraining order against Lee, unaffiliated with Pepperdine, prohibiting him from coming on any university property. The Department of Public Safety sent an email to the University on Monday with an update on Lee’s arrest, writing, “We have credible evidence that while in custody Lee made threats against the Pepperdine community. Specifically, he stated his intent to ‘impregnate women at Pepperdine’ and ‘kill anyone who gets in his way.’
“Although it appears that he was in a delusional state when he made the statement, we want to be thoughtful about community safety and ensure the community has all relevant information.”
DPS also wrote that Lee may focus his attention on light-haired women and has followed Pepperdine students from a local shopping center in Malibu.
According to a Sept. 27 Graphic article on the arrest, three female freshmen had come from Malibu Yogurt when Lee approached them at the bottom of the Rho stairs and followed the women to Banowsky Hall. A male student apparently chased Lee away as they went inside. According to students in Banowsky, Lee had been in the dorm earlier that night.
One of the female freshmen called DPS who then located Lee. Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department took Lee into custody for a psychological evaluation. DPS believed Lee had arrived on campus following cars through the entrance of Malibu Canyon Road. His car was impounded following the arrest.
In preparation for Lee’s release, DPS will increase patrols and will be watching for him. He is considered dangerous and if seen on any Pepperdine campus, people should call 911 then DPS at 310-506-4441, according to the DPS email.
“An important aspect of community safety is all members remaining vigilant and looking out for one another,” DPS wrote.
Three days after Lee’s arrest, Isaac Yasharal was also taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Department for groping a female student near Terrace Parking Lot. On Sept. 28 the Pubic Relations Office sent a university-wide email about Yasharal’s release. Yasharal was also not affiliated with the university and considered dangerous. The email wrote that Yasharal was warned that he was prohibited from coming onto campus and DPS was on alert for him.
