Serial feet tickler on the loose at college

A man has been breaking into the homes of students who live near Boston College in Massachusetts and watching them sleep or tickling their feet, police and several alleged victims have confirmed. Police report at least 10 sightings of the so-called Tickler, who some in the neighborhood had long believed to be a myth. At least three students report having encountered him on the same night. “This is no myth,” said Sergeant Michael O’Hara, community service officer for the Boston Police district that covers Allston and Brighton. “It’s happening.” Victims have described him as a 5-foot-8-inch black male of unknown age in dark clothing and a hoodie, he said. Some reported that the man watched them through their windows as he committed a sex act.
Teddy Raddell, a BC junior, said he was jolted from a sound sleep at 5am on a Sunday by the sound of someone running down the stairs of the house he shares with several fellow Boston College students. “I thought my roommate had fallen down the steps,” Raddell said, “but then he started yelling. I got up and he said that he had woken up to someone touching his feet.” Like other students, he said no valuables were stolen. “The guy didn’t take anything and there were laptops and wallets out in the main room,” said Raddell. BC junior Daniel Marenzi said he woke up late, also on a Sunday, to his feet being tickled.
“I thought my friend was just trying to annoy me, but I soon realized it wasn’t anyone I knew,” Marenzi says. “I freaked out and sat up but he was already on the way out.” He said he and his housemates now lock all their doors. O’Hara said many students living off campus leave their doors unlocked, however. “Absolutely students should be concerned,” he said. “You don’t know what this guy is going to do or if he has a weapon. You need to lock your doors. It’s not as safe as you think.” There is no hard evidence in the cases, O’Hara said, and no photos or video of the alleged Tickler. “If we had something to go on,” he said, “we would.”