Man accused of stalking UConn star Paige Bueckers found with ring at airport

A man, Robert Cole Parmalee, aged 40, has been accused of stalking and harassing University of Connecticut basketball star Paige Bueckers. Police reports indicate that during his arrest near Bradley International Airport, he had an engagement ring and lingerie. Parmalee allegedly expressed on social media his intention to marry Bueckers.

Parmalee, whose last known residences were in Grants Pass, Oregon, and Ritzville, Washington, was arraigned in Rockville, Connecticut. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from Bueckers, referred to in court documents as “P.B.,” as well as being banned from the UConn campus in Storrs.

His public defender has not responded to requests for comments. Parmalee was originally taken into custody on August 27 while walking along a highway close to the Hartford airport. He mentioned to a state trooper that he had just flown in from the Pacific Northwest and intended to see Bueckers, prompting further investigation.

During his arrest, authorities discovered that Parmalee had an active warrant from Josephine County, Oregon, where he was accused of setting a home on fire with individuals and pets inside, leading to his detention.

Since June, Parmalee had been posting videos, photos, and messages concerning Bueckers on TikTok and other platforms, as well as sending emails to UConn officials expressing his obsession. Initially, these communications did not result in criminal charges, but the nature of his comments grew increasingly alarming.

While an arrest warrant affidavit does not disclose Bueckers’ name, it highlights Parmalee’s posts conveying his desire to marry her. An officer stated that Parmalee exhibited “a continual, escalating behavior” aimed at Bueckers and posed threats to those close to her, causing emotional distress.

According to Bueckers, she discovered Parmalee had been sending her various videos via Instagram since February, but they did not pose an immediate threat. She did not engage with his messages but became worried for her safety and that of her family and teammates after learning about his arrest.

In a TikTok video, Parmalee referenced a photograph of Bueckers with another man and stated he would “sacrifice” that man without hesitation. He made posts about buying Bueckers flowers and indicated that if he could not be with the woman he desired, he would “choose to die” and threaten harm on others opposing their union.

Before arriving in Connecticut, Parmalee announced in a TikTok post that he would be traveling to UConn to see Bueckers, even sharing a photo of himself with his airline tickets.

Parmalee faced initial detention due to the arson warrant from Oregon before being charged with felony stalking, misdemeanor harassment, and breach of peace by UConn police.

His criminal history reportedly extends back to 2002, including charges for misdemeanor sexual abuse, harassment, burglary, driving under the influence, and possession of methamphetamine. Oregon police officials have indicated there are no mental health-related reports associated with Parmalee.