Man accused of harassing Paige Bueckers had engagement ring in possession at arrest

An Oregon man accused of stalking and harassing Connecticut women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers indicated on social media that he wanted to marry the former Hopkins High School standout, and reportedly had an engagement ring in his possession at the time of his arrest on Friday.

Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, is being detained on $100,000 bail after being arraigned on charges of breach of peace, electronic stalking and harassment on Monday. Parmalee was arrested at a Connecticut airport with an engagement ring and lingerie in his possession at the time of his arrest, according to the Associated Press, citing police sources.

The AP also reported that Parmalee has been ordered to stay away from a person named in court as "P.B." and was banned from the University of Connecticut's campus.

Parmalee expressed his desire to marry Bueckers in several social media posts, even creating a fake wedding invitation with their names. Parmalee was also emailing Connecticut officials with rambling messages about Bueckers.

Bueckers told police she had been receiving direct messages on social media from Parmalee for months, with WFSB reporting that he had sent her emails professing his love and his desire to marry her, while claiming he was a member of the Royal Family.

Parmalee was previously arrested near a Connecticut airport while walking on a limited-access roadway, telling police at the time that he was on his way to see Bueckers, according to ESPN.

While the messages were not threatening and Bueckers did not respond, she began worrying about her safety and others' after learning about his arrest near the airport.

Parmalee has a criminal history dating back to 2002, including arrests for misdemeanor sexual abuse, burglary, harassment, driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine. His Friday arrest near the airport was related to an outstanding arson warrant in Oregon.