SAGAPONACK, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A man accused of stalking Drew Barrymore was freed by a judge Friday after a busy week in which he allegedly confronted her at a Manhattan event and searched for her near her Hamptons home.
Chad Michael Busto, 43, was released without bail following his Friday arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking in the fourth degree. He was ordered to stay away from Barrymore and will have to wear a tracking device for 60 days.
Busto told News 12 outside the courthouse Friday that he is "very against harm in general" and thought he and the star "had a history" after seeing her at multiple locations. He reportedly said he was seeking her support in his belief that he and all U.S. citizens won the presidency.
"I would tell Drew that I care about her a lot... I believe that we have a connection in our past. I believe that I met her at the Hard Rock Hotel after Lalapalooza in 2007," he said, adding he understands why his actions may have scared her. "I'm actually hoping that we can maybe repair our relationship if that needs it, but yeah for the duration of the case I'm going to have to have a stay away order."
He reportedly a lengthy arrest record, including for stalking, harassment and criminal trespass.
Thursday's arrest of Busto by Southampton Police came just days after he reportedly shouted at the 48-year-old actress Monday night while she was onstage at a 92nd Street Y event on the Upper East Side.
"You know who I am," a man who gave his name as Busto shouted from the front row of the theater. "I need to see you at some point while I’m in New York."
"Oh my God! Yes. Hi!" a startled Barrymore said before she was rushed offstage by actress Reneé Rapp. Busto was escorted out of the venue by security.
Busto, who is a resident of Washington, D.C., then allegedly went to the Hamptons on Wednesday afternoon and started searching for Barrymore in Sagaponack, which is among the wealthiest ZIP codes in the U.S.
Busto allegedly rode a bicycle up private driveways and told residents he was looking for the actor's $6 million house. Concerned residents called 911 to report him as a suspicious person, police said.
Barrymore was not home at the time.
Busto was briefly detained by responding officers Wednesday but was ultimately released and appeared to have left the area that day, according to police.
However, further investigation by detectives substantiated a misdemeanor stalking charge against him and wanted flyers were distributed in the area, police said.
That led to Busto's arrest Thursday after he was located in East Hampton.
Related
Related
Related
