Police: Tip led to arrest of suspect in East High bathroom case

Prosecutors on Thursday formally charged a man linked to an incident inside a girls’ restroom at East High last fall with sexual battery, according to court records.

A Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest of Guy Harris, 28, who is suspected of entering the school on Sept. 9, following a student into a restroom while classes were in session and groping her, police said Thursday.

The charge Harris is facing in the case is a misdemeanor, meaning he could be sentenced to up to a year in jail or be placed on probation if convicted.

The court entered a not-guilty plea on Harris’ behalf during his first appearance and arraignment hearings Thursday afternoon. He is due back in court May 5, according to court records.

Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said Thursday that the Crime Stoppers tip told authorities where they could find Harris.

Special Community Action Team officers responding to the area saw Harris in the 700 block of North Green at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Woodrow said. They attempted a traffic stop, but Harris sped away.

A brief vehicle pursuit ensued until Harris lost control of his car and crashed into a fence, Woodrow said. Harris fled the car but was caught a short distance away.

Police have said an 18-year-old student reported that a man followed her as she went into a bathroom at East in September. The stranger asked her where the gym was, then sexually battered her as she tried to leave the restroom. She immediately notified school staff, who alerted the school resource officer.

Harris remained in Sedgwick County Jail on Thursday in lieu of a total of $71,000 in bonds in this and other cases.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Police: Tip led to arrest of suspect in East High bathroom case."