Southampton Town Police Say Drew Barrymore Stalker Arrested, Due in Justice Court Friday Morning

Just days after a widely reported incident at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Southampton Town Police arrested Chad Michael Busto, 43, on Thursday, August 24, and charged him with a single count of stalking in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Police allege that Busto had been riding a bicycle in the Village of Sagaponack on August 23, “stating to area residents that he was looking for Drew Barrymore’s residence.”

Busto, a resident of Washington, D.C., according to a Southampton Town Police press release, was suspected of stalking Barrymore “due to previous incidents involving the actor,” which included reports that Busto had attempted to approach Barrymore while she was onstage at the 92nd Street Y on August 21. On August 23, Southampton Town Police located and briefly detained Busto in Sagaponack, but did not arrest him.

He was released after being questioned by police, “and appeared to leave the area,” according to a press release from Southampton Town Police.

Patrol officers then notified the agency’s detective division, which conducted a follow-up investigation that “substantiate[d] a charge for stalking,” the release noted.

A wanted flyer was distributed to neighboring police agencies, and on the afternoon of August 24, Busto was spotted in Montauk and taken into custody by East Hampton Town Police.

Busto was turned over to Southampton Town Police for arrest and processing and was arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court on Friday morning.

Following his arraignment, Busto was released on his own recognizance, but was ordered to wear a GPS tracking device that was attached to his ankle. Busto told reporters who had gathered outside the court that he had also been charged with resisting arrest in East Hampton, after one reporter asked about a cut on Busto’s head.