NORWICH, N.Y. (WBNG) — A man from Columbus, Ohio, is facing serious charges after being arrested in Norwich, NY, for criminal impersonation and attempting to fraudulently enroll in high school.
On September 15, Norwich Police arrested 27-year-old Caleb Jireh Alexander after an investigation revealed troubling behavior and identity fraud.
According to authorities, Alexander was initially reported for using foul language and acting disrespectfully toward staff at the Norwich YMCA. Officers soon discovered he was carrying multiple forms of identification that did not reflect his true identity.
The situation escalated when detectives found that Alexander had allegedly visited Norwich High School, where he attempted to enroll as a student using a false name, date of birth, and address. His goal, according to investigators, appeared to be gaining unauthorized access to the school.
Further investigation revealed that Alexander was wanted in Ohio for robbery and impersonating a police officer, with an active warrant for his arrest. Authorities in Ohio have confirmed plans to extradite Alexander back to face those charges.
“Although Mr. Alexander’s true intentions are not yet fully known, Norwich City School staff did an exceptional job recognizing that something wasn’t right,” said Deputy Chief Scott Burlison. “Our detectives quickly tracked down leads, and our patrol units did an excellent job locating the suspect.”
Burlison confirmed that there was no evidence of harm to any students and credited school staff and law enforcement with swift action to prevent a potential threat.
Alexander is currently being held in Chenango County Jail pending extradition proceedings.
