8/22/01 Bob Lowry (lowrygr@auburn.edu)
AU POLICE SEEK TO QUESTION SUSPECT IN POSSIBLE MENACING CASES
AUBURN - The Auburn University Department of Public Safety is seeking one or two suspects in the possible menacing of two women students in separate campus incidents, director Bill Nevin said Wednesday.
The two incidents occurred June 21 and Aug 20. The latest incident was reported to AUDPS on Aug. 21, and the earlier incident was reported just following that incident.
In the first case, a man chased a woman from the rear of Haley Center to her car, which was parked in the south Haley Center parking lot. She was able to reach her car and elude the man, said Nevin.
In the second case, a student told police she was walking about 9:30 p.m. on the sidewalk between the Martin Aquatics Center and Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum when a man began chasing her. Nevin said she was able to get away by running into a nearby building.
Nevin said police do not know whether the two incidents are related to three sexual assaults that occurred 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 the two men involved in the most recent incidents. The descriptions were provided separately by the two women who were chased, said Nevin. In addition, the suspects were described as being 6 feet tall and having brown hair. AUDPS is distributing the composite campuswide.
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 department's web site at: http://www.auburn.edu/administration/public_safety/silent_witness.html.
University officials remind students, faculty and staff to immediately report any suspicious people or activity to the AUDPS. On campus phones and emergency phones connect to AUDPS when 911 is dialed.
In addition, AUDPS has increased patrols on campus both in vehicles and on bicycles.
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.
# # #
AU-incidents
CONTACT: Capt. Tom Stofer at 334/844-4143
