Hacienda Heights man suspected of molesting Rio Hondo College students while posing as signature gatherer

WHITTIER -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a man posing as a signature gatherer at Rio Hondo College Monday on suspicion of sexually assaulting several female students, authorities said.

Gregory Shiga, 33, of Hacienda Heights was booked on suspicion of sexual battery, Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Joanne Labella said in a written statement.

Deputies from the sheriff's Pico Rivera Station went to the college, 3600 Workman Mill Road, shortly before 5 p.m. Monday after several young women reported being touched inappropriately by the suspect, the detective said.

"Several female students reported separate incidents in which a male had contacted them on the campus under the guise that he was collecting signatures for a petition," Labella said. "As the student's attention was focused on the petition, the victims reported the male touched their private parts over their clothing."

Students and school security officers pointed out Shiga in a school office and deputies arrested him, Labella said. He was not a registered student at the campus.

According to Los Angeles County Superior Court records, Monday's arrest is not the first time in recent months Shiga has found himself behind bars.

He was arrested in June and convicted last month of grand theft in West Covina Superior Court, and petty theft in Whittier Superior Court, records show. He was released from jail July 22.

Shiga was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and was due in Whittier Superior Court Monday for arraignment on the sexual battery allegations.