A Pembroke man was arrested Tuesday in connection with an alleged incident involving a juvenile at the Starland Sports Complex earlier this month, authorities announced.
According to the Hanover Police Department, detectives, in collaboration with the Pembroke Police Department, executed a search and arrest warrant on February 18 at a Pembroke residence tied to the case. The investigation stemmed from a reported interaction between an adult male and a juvenile inside a restroom at the popular sports facility on February 3.
During the search, detectives located key evidence linking Pembroke photographer Robert Schroeter, 44, to the incident, police said. Schroeter was taken into custody and transported to the Hanover Police Department, where he was booked on a charge of open and gross lewdness under M.G.L. 272/16.
Schroeter was released on $5,000 cash bail and appeared Wednesday in Hingham District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for March 14, 2025.
Hanover police credited tips from the public and cooperation from Starland management in helping identify the suspect and secure his arrest.
“Tips provided to our detectives, along with the full cooperation of Starland management, were instrumental in our efforts to identify the involved subject and ultimately taking him into custody,” police said in a statement. “The collaboration during this investigation between law enforcement, our local businesses, and the general public highlights the importance of community awareness and partnership.”
Hanover police initially responded to Starland Sports Complex on February 4 following reports of an alleged incident involving a 7-year-old boy the previous evening. Authorities later identified Schroeter as the suspect.
Schroeter is the owner of Silverpeak Studios, which states that it provides team and individual sports photography services to local schools and private sports organizations.
This is a developing story.