9/10/01

David M. Granger

AU POLICE SEEK SUSPECT IN EARLY MORNING SEXUAL ASSAULT ATTEMPT

AUBURN -- An Auburn University student was attacked early Monday in an attempted sexual assault, the latest in a series of incidents on the Auburn campus that began in April.

The female student was attacked just off Mell Street directly across from the AU President's Mansion between 2:15 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., according to Bill Nevin, chief of the AU Department of Public Safety. The attacker was described by the victim as a white male, about 6 feet tall and weighing around 170 pounds.

The victim told AU police she was walking down Mell Street when she saw a man standing underneath a tree. After she passed him, the man allegedly attacked her, dragging her for a distance before she escaped by kicking him in the groin. The assailant then grabbed her bookbag purse, but the victim escaped the second time by stripping herself of the purse.

The victim screamed and ran to a phone in a nearby residence hall where she placed a 911 call. Eight patrol units from both the AU and city of Auburn police were on the scene within a few minutes of the victim's call, Nevin said.

In addition, Wackenhut private security guards in the AU band and Hill Dorms parking lots, recently hired to help bolster campus security in response to the string of incidents, heard the screams. The area was sealed off and searched, but the suspect could not be located.

Nevin said police do not know whether Monday's attack is related to the earlier incidents, but that the computer-generated composite sketch of the suspect in the latest attack was decidedly different from composites provided by victims in three recent menacing cases.

Three Auburn students have reported sexual assaults and three more have reported cases of menacing since April. Composites of suspects the menacing cases have been widely distributed across campus and through the media.

In addition to hiring Wackenhut guards to patrol certain locations around campus, Interim President William F. Walker has authorized the hiring of additional campus police officers.

Nevin urged anyone with information about Monday's attack or any of the previous incidents to call the AU Department of Public Safety at 334/844-4158. Those who wish to remain anonymous may provide information through the department's web site.

Nevin cited measures that should be taken to reduce a person's vulnerability to a possible attack:

** Minimize time spent walking on campus at night and, whenever possible, walk in groups of two or more;

** Report any suspicious activity by calling 911 or 844-4158. The emergency phones located throughout campus will connect users immediately to report an emergency or get help;

** Avoid isolated or dimly lit areas; and

** 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 officers are available to escort women on campus.

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CONTACT: Capt. Tom Stofer, 334/844-4143.