Man sentenced to prison for taking pictures up women’s skirts in Syracuse and assaulting officer

Syracuse, N.Y. ― A man found guilty of taking photos up women’s skirts and assaulting a police officer trying to arrest him was sentenced to prison Wednesday.

Thomas R. Crudo, 31, was sentenced to seven years in prison for assaulting the officer and two to four years in prison for each count of unlawful surveillance. All the sentences will run consecutively.

That means he faces 11 to 15 years in prison.

Crudo was acquitted of aggravated assault on a police officer. If convicted of that, he could have faced a maximum of 25 years.

On Feb. 6, 2024, Crudo was taking photos up the skirts of multiple women around the 1100 block of East Genesee Street.

Police quickly found Crudo on the 200 block of Marshall Street. He ignored police commands and tried to flee in his Jeep.

Syracuse Police Officer Darren Ettinger reached Crudo’s driver’s side door before he pulled away, according to court documents.

After Crudo refused to exit the car, Ettinger tried to pull him out, according to court documents.

Crudo tried to drive away with Ettinger hanging out of the Jeep but crashed into a car parked in front of him. As Ettinger continued to struggle with Crudo, a dog in the back seat of the car bit Ettinger on the head. He required medical treatment and still has a scar from the bite.

In court Wednesday, prosecutor Caitlyn Buckman said Crudo targeted the women because they were distracted.

Buckman read a letter from one of the victims who said that this incident changed how she navigates through the world. She wrote that she is now hyperaware of her surroundings.

“It was like I was raped with my clothes on,” the victim wrote.

Judge Matthew Doran described the unlawful surveillance as a very invasive crime.

Doran also said that the struggle with Ettinger shows Crudo has no respect for others, including law enforcement.

Doran pointed to a video from inside the jail that captured a “chance encounter” between Ettinger and Crudo. Doran said it is clear in the video Crudo is mocking Ettinger for the injuries he sustained.

Before he was sentenced, Crudo asked Doran not to sentence him to the maximum of seven years for the second-degree assault. Crudo said that it would be fair to give him six years.

Doran ultimately sentenced him to the maximum.