One night, Two campus assaults
Two accounts of physical assault, both around the area of Kirby Drive and Oakland Circle, were reported on Thursday, January 19 by UMD Police.
According to UMD Police, an incident of criminal sexual conduct occurred around 7:14 p.m. The adult female victim said she was walking in the area when an unknown male approached her from behind, pushed her to the ground, and forcibly fondled her.
The suspect then fled on foot. The victim was not physically injured.
At 8:15 p.m. UMD Police were contacted about a similar attack that had happened earlier that night around 6:10 p.m. An adult female victim reported that an unknown suspect had approached from behind and forcibly fondled the victim, who resisted until the suspect fled on foot.
The victim was not physically injured, and did not report the incident to the police immediately.
The suspect is described similarly in both attacks as, according to the police report, a “white male, age: mid-20s, around 6-feet tall, with short and scruffy facial hair; last seen wearing a brown-and-yellow knit hat and a black jacket.”
UMD Police arranged for extra officers to patrol campus into late night hours and will continue to have extra patrols throughout the weekend.
The suspect has not yet been identified or apprehended. UMD Police are reviewing security camera footage and following all available leads.
Students are encouraged to take the following safety precautions, as detailed in the UMD Police report:
“Park vehicles and walk in well-lit areas; travel in groups when possible; be aware of your physical surroundings; inform others where you are going, the route you are taking, and your time frame for arrival and return; keep your keys and cellphone in hand; look after others; report any suspicious activity or persons to police immediately by calling 911.”
Students can also call UMD Safewalk for an escort within two miles of campus. The Safewalk number is 218-726-6100. More information can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5495409967/
UMD Police also asks that anyone with information concerning these incidents contacts their department immediately by calling 911.
