BURBANK, Calif. — A former Burbank High School student was arrested for allegedly entering the school and assaulting at least three teenagers last week.
Investigators determined that 22-year-old Patrick Nazarian, a 2018 graduate and Glendale resident, entered the school through an unlocked door in the student parking lot around 9 a.m. Monday, reports myBurbank.
A 14-year-old student told Burbank police that she was approached by an unknown man while using the bathroom. According to a release from the police, the man sexually assaulted the victim and a short struggle ensued.
The suspected fled the bathroom and groped another 14-year-old student near a stairwell and “pulled on” a 17-year-old student who was able to escape and tell a teacher, according to NBC Los Angeles. School employees located Nazarian and held him until police arrived.
“Schools are meant to be a sanctuary for our children where they can learn and feel safe in their environment,” District Attorney George Gascón wrote in a written statement. “That sense of safety was shattered when these girls were attacked on campus. While I know that the trauma they suffered won’t soon heal, I’m thankful to the heroic actions of the school employees who apprehended the suspect and held him for law enforcement.”
The Burbank Unified School District’s board has scheduled an emergency meeting for March 17 to discuss how to improve security throughout its campuses.
“It is clear that greater precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff on all of our school sites,” said board president Steve Ferguson. “Working with the Superintendent, Dr. Weisberg and I have asked that security protocols be reviewed at all of our sites.”
Nazarian pleaded not guilty to one count of felony sexual assault and two misdemeanor counts of annoyance of a child under the age of 18. During his initial court appearance, Nazarian’s lawyer said he may have been under the influence of laced marijuana oil at the time of the assaults.
Nazarian’s bond was initially set to $1.2 million but was lowered to $45,000. He is expected to return for a preliminary hearing on March 29.
