Chad Michael Busto Arrested for Stalking Drew Barrymore
Chad Michael Busto, the man who caused a disruption at a recent 92nd Street Y event in New York, has been arrested on suspicion of stalking Drew Barrymore. The 43-year-old resident of Washington, D.C. was apprehended by the Southampton Town Police on Thursday night.
Busto is facing a misdemeanor charge of stalking in the fourth degree. He was detained following a 911 call about a suspicious person in the Village of Sagaponack on Wednesday. Busto had allegedly entered private driveways in search of Barrymore’s residence. Although he was released after being questioned, further investigations led to evidence supporting the charge of stalking.
Authorities distributed wanted fliers to neighboring agencies as part of the investigation, leading to Busto’s arrest by the East Hampton Town Police on Thursday afternoon. He was then turned over to the Southampton Town Police for processing.
The incident involving Busto occurred during a 92nd Street Y event on Monday night. Barrymore was escorted off the stage by actress Reneé Rapp after Busto shouted her name and made his way toward the front of the theater. Busto claimed to know Barrymore and insisted on seeing her while in New York.
Following the disturbance, Rapp and Barrymore returned to the stage and briefly acknowledged the incident before continuing with the event. The New York Police Department reported that no official reports were filed regarding the incident.
Busto is currently being held overnight and is scheduled to appear in Southampton Town Justice Court for his morning arraignment. The charges against him highlight the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of public figures like Drew Barrymore.