UCI student arrested on various charges

Police last week arrested a UC Irvine student on suspicion of assaulting two people, battering two others, exposing himself and brandishing a fake gun in a campus residence hall.

Andrei Tatuiko, 18, has denied the allegations, pleading not guilty before an Orange County Superior Court judge on Oct. 11. The defendant posted a $50,000 bond and was released from jail early Saturday.

UCI police declined to release details about the incidents, saying they are part of an ongoing investigation, but charges filed by the Orange County district attorney show that the alleged crimes took place over the span of a week in early October.

They began Oct. 1, when Tatuiko twice exposed himself to others in UCI’s Lorien residence hall, not far from UCI’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering, according to the charges and police logs.

The next day, Tatuiko allegedly battered a female victim in the hall. The district attorney also filed another battery charge related to an alleged incident Oct. 4.

The most serious accusations against Tatuiko are felony aggravated assault charges that allege he strangled one victim and pinned another on Oct. 3.

Charges against Tatuiko list four separate victims, each identified only by a first name and last initial.

UCI police Sgt. Manse Sinkey declined to say whether the victims are UCI students.

Tatuiko’s string of crimes ended when he threatened one of his previous victims by brandishing a replica gun at her on Oct. 7, according to the district attorney.

UCI officials would not say whether Tatuiko is still taking classes or is even allowed on campus; Cathy Lawhon, a university spokeswoman, said student conduct issues are confidential.

A public defender assigned to Tatuiko did not return a call seeking comment Thursday afternoon.

Tatuiko is due back in court on Tuesday.