Homeless man charged with stalking Kournikova
A homeless man who swam naked across a Miami Beach bay in search of Anna Kournikova has been charged with stalking the tennis star.
William Lepeska yelled: “Anna! Save me!” as he was arrested three doors down from Kournikova’s Florida mansion, police said.
The 40-year-old, who sports an Anna tattoo on his arm, was charged with stalking, burglary and exposing himself in the presence of a child because a three-year-old neighbour allegedly saw him laid out spreadeagled in the buff.
Lepeska allegedly told police he was in love with the star and was desperate to meet her.
Police said he told them he had spent months searching for Kournikova’s address on the internet and had sent her numerous letters and emails.
He claimed he believed Kournikova had left a door unlocked for him to enter her home and left clothing for him to wear as if she was expecting his arrival.
On his arrest Lepeska refused to stand for a photograph and demanded a psychiatric evaluation, police said.
He allegedly bit an officer’s left thumb before officers were forced to use pepper spray.
Kournikova’s publicist, Ivy Mollenkamp, described the star as “concerned and fearful for her safety” and said she was consulting her personal security team. She said the allegations were “extremely alarming and threatening”.
Lepeska was arrested on January 30 and is being held in Miami-Dade County Jail. He is due in court tomorrow.
