"Piggyback Bandit" Seen at Bismarck Athletic Events - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

He's known as the "Piggyback Bandit" and he's been in Bismarck targeting our student athletes.

A man has been banned from all high school games in the state after a disturbing event at three games this weekend.

Sherwin Shayegan is reportedly notorious for traveling to sporting events and jumping on athletes' backs.

He's been convicted of crimes involving these kinds of incidents in other states.

And as Donnell Preskey reports, the "Piggyback Bandit" made his way to Bismarck.

Unusual. Odd. Creepy.

All words used to describe a man that passes himself off as one "big" fan.

The 250 pound Sherwin Shayegan has a nickname himself; "The Piggyback Bandit." School officials say he was in Bismarck.

Jim Haussler is the Director of Bismarck Public School Activities. "He was at three events girls and boys games at Century against St. Mary's high school he was also at the Century Fargo South hockey game. And the behavior that was reported to us was that there were a number attempts to get piggyback rides and he was successful at a couple of them. Tried to make his way to locker rooms and was stopped."

Haussler was at the Century St. Mary's game. He saw Shayegan jump on players.

"Neither school knew who he belonged to. Each was assuming he was belonging to the other school."

He thought it was odd. So did others, and eventually the man seen here in Century's hallway wearing a Cat uniform was connected to pictures online of the "piggyback bandit."

Haussler says "this is repeated behavior and we are taking this seriously."

Hauler has sent an email about Shayegan with his picture to administrators, coaches and ticket takers.

"Alerted the people that would spot him if he would enter the contests. Officers at the games - everyone on alert, passed on to every school - everyone is aware he is banned along with picture, it's out there."

The North Dakota High School Athletic Association has issued an order banning Sherwin Shayegan from all high school sporting events in the state. Other states including Washington, Oregon and Montana have done the same."

"Piggybacking inappropriate, most people define it as creepy, it's not typical behavior a 28 year old man should be doing with high schoolers," said Haussler.

Haussler has no idea how Shayegan picked Bismarck as his next opponent.

"I think he keeps moving around and we happened to be the spot he landed on."

But Haussler says he's confident the piggyback bandit has left.

Sherwin Shayegan was most recently convicted in Helena Montana.

A judge sentenced Shayegan February 1st on two assault charges for jumping on two players at a high school soccer tournament.

The judge gave him a one year suspended sentence and told him to go back to Seattle and behave.