Penn State research professor accused of stalking family near State College
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Penn State professor Anoop Narayanan faces stalking and loitering charges.
- Security footage shows Narayanan repeatedly watching a family through windows.
- District judge denied bail; preliminary hearing scheduled for June 25, 2025.
A Penn State professor was charged Monday with misdemeanor counts of stalking and loitering after police said he admitted to watching a family — one that includes a young child — through their window multiple times.
Anoop Narayanan, a 50-year-old research professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the Eberly College of Science, is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility after District Judge Greg Koehle denied bail.
A Penn State spokesperson said the university is aware of the charges. They declined further comment, saying it is a personnel matter.
Patton Township police officers were dispatched Sunday night to Toftrees after a caller reported seeing a man they didn’t know outside their residence.
Security camera footage showed Narayanan crouching and sitting outside the caller’s window, an officer wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. The officer said Narayanan slowly approached the residence and avoided setting off a motion activated light.
The caller previously reported two similar incidents, one earlier this month and another in April. The man told police he purposely positioned his security camera to catch Narayanan because it was causing him “emotional distress.”
Narayanan, of Halfmoon Township, said he did not live in the complex and liked going there for walks, police wrote. After being told about the video and that he would be arrested, police said he apologized to the family.
Narayanan said he watched the family three or four times, police wrote. The family has a child who is about 5 years old.
No defense lawyer was listed. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 25.