8/27/01
AU POLICE INVESTIGATING THIRD POSSIBLE MENACING CASE ON CAMPUS
AUBURN -- The Auburn University Department of Public Safety is seeking one or more suspects in the possible menacing of three women students in separate campus incidents, director William Nevin said Monday.
The latest incident occurred early Saturday when a student drove up to Sasnett Hall, a residence hall, by herself between 4:30 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. She told police that a man ran up to her car, began beating on the windows and demanded that she unlock the door.
She drove away, went to a friend's apartment off campus and called 911. Auburn city police alerted the AUPD, which arrived at Sasnett Hall around 5 a.m. Nevin said police searched the area, but could not find the suspect.
The student described the man as being a white male, 6-feet-tall, 165-pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She said he was wearing a white polo shirt
The two previous incidents occurred June 21 and Aug 20 shortly after 9 p.m., and both students escaped unharmed.
Nevin says police do not know whether the three incidents are connected to three sexual assaults that happened on campus earlier this year, but authorities want to question the suspect or suspects in the most recent cases.
Police artists have developed a computer-generated composite sketch of two men involved in the first two menacing incidents. The descriptions were provided separately by the two women who were chased, said Nevin. Police are also working to develop a sketch from the third case.
Police have beefed up security on campus and Interim President William F. Walker has authorized the hiring of additional campus police officers. Jim Ferguson, vice president for administrative services, says as many as eight new officers could be on duty as early as Oct.1.
Nevin urged anyone with information about the cases to call AUDPS at 334/844-4158. Those who wish to remain anonymous may provide information to the AUDPS by going to the departments's web.
Nevin cited measures that should be taken to reduce a person's vulnerability to a possible threat. They include:
** Minimize the time spent walking on campus at night and, whenever possible, walk in groups of two or more
** Avoid isolated or dimly lit areas
** Use the campus shuttle service, which is available throughout the campus from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nevin added that, after 2 a.m., public safety units are available to shuttle women on campus
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