UCPD: Former student took pics in UC Berkeley dorm shower
Authorities credited a student and her roommate with helping catch suspect Wensen "Vincent" Wu by collecting key evidence.
A former UC Berkeley student who police say photographed a young woman in her dorm shower is set to appear in court next week on multiple charges.
UC Berkeley police say Wensen Wu, who also uses the name Vincent, was caught "peeping" last year in a communal bathroom at Norton Hall, part of the Unit 3 residence hall complex at 2400 Durant Ave.
According to police, a student was taking a shower in late August when she looked down and saw a cellphone being held by someone in the next stall. Its lenses were pointed right at her.
"The victim believed she was being recorded and stepped out of the shower stall to call her roommate for help," police wrote.
When the roommate arrived, she knocked on the stall door to confront the culprit, according to charging papers.
Wu "came out of the stall and attempted to run away," UCPD wrote.
Police say the crime took place in a communal restroom at UC Berkeley. UC Berkeley
Before he could escape, the young women grabbed Wu's phone, which they believed contained the shower photographs, police wrote.
UCPD said Wu tried to stop the students from leaving so he could get the phone back, grabbing one of the women, "hugging her from behind and holding her."
When that didn't work, police said, he held the bathroom door closed.
Read more about crime near UC Berkeley.
Ultimately, the students were able to keep the phone and run to a safe place where they called for help, authorities said.
Officers arrested Wu, who invoked his right to remain silent, on suspicion of felony false imprisonment and two misdemeanors: peeping and trespassing.
He was no longer a UC Berkeley student at the time of his arrest, UCPD wrote.
That night, UCPD also noted that Wu told a UC staffer he had "tailgated into the building," following someone through an open door to get inside.
Wu bailed out quickly after his arrest, but the investigation continued.
When police searched Wu's phone in September, they found "possible photos of the incident" along with what they believed might be child sexual abuse material, according to court papers.
Wensen "Vincent" Wu. ACSO
In November, the Alameda County district attorney's office charged Wu with four misdemeanors: invading privacy (aka peeping), unauthorized entry of the dorm and two counts of false imprisonment (one in relation to each student).
The same month, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Rozlynn Silvaggio released Wu on his own recognizance, according to court records.
She also ordered him to stay at least 100 yards from 2400 Durant Ave. and not to photograph or record anyone without their consent.
Wu, a San Francisco resident who turned 24 in August, has no prior felony convictions, according to court papers.
According to his website and LinkedIn page, he studied computer science and math as an undergrad at UC Berkeley.
He is set to appear in court next week in Oakland for a pretrial hearing.
Campus sexual violence support resources
- Confidential Care Advocate, PATH to Care Center: 510-643-2005 (24/7)
- University Health Services nurse advice line: 510-643-7197 (24/7)
- Gender Equity Resource Center: 510-643-5727
- Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (Title IX)
Other 24/7 resources
- Bay Area Women Against Rape: 510-800-4247
- Highland Hospital: 510-437-4800
For more information on sexual violence prevention and resources, UCPD directed members of the campus community to its survivor support website.
