Investigation continues in sexual assault incident
Criminal investigators with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) continue to investigate a report of a sexual assault in East Hall. On Nov. 18, a student reported to DPS that she had been forcibly fondled at 1:20 p.m. Nov. 15 in a first-floor women’s room. She told officers that an unknown man approached her from behind and began groping her. The student indicated she was able to flee after fighting off the assailant. The suspect is described as a white male in his early 20s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build and short, close-cropped, medium to dark brown hair. He last was seen wearing blue jeans, a grey, long-sleeve shirt and white tennis shoes. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact DPS at (734) 763-1131.
Student reports robbery
A student reported Nov. 12 that he had been robbed the previous night while walking along Observatory Street. The resident of Markley Hall told DPS officers that while walking back to his hall around midnight, he was approached by two unknown males who told him to give up his money. The victim said he gave them his cell phone and fled into Mosher-Jordan residence hall. The victim did not sustain any injuries.
Two trees vandalized at Arb
Staff at Nichols Arboretum filed police reports of vandalism and theft of two evergreen trees. On Nov. 29, it was reported that 7 feet of a 10-foot Serbian Spruce had been removed. On Dec. 6, staff reported that the top 6 feet of a 45-foot white spruce had been removed. Staff speculated that the tree parts had been stolen to serve as Christmas trees. The Serbian Spruce was planted with funds provided by a generous donor. DPS has increased patrols of the Arb through the rest of the month.
Stolen car damages other vehicles
DPS responded Nov. 10 to a call of an unattended car in a parking lot with its engine running. Upon responding to NC-50—a lot on Glazier Way reserved for construction contractor employees—officers found a 1997 Ford Escort with its engine running and keys in the ignition. It also had visible body damage, as did six other vehicles parked in the lot. The car owner admitted he had left his keys in the car while working on a nearby construction site, but had not authorized anyone to drive the vehicle. DPS has no suspects in the case.
Two kiosk fires burn paper
A campus police officer extinguished two fires on outdoor kiosks in two days. A caller reported to DPS at 2 a.m. Nov. 5 that papers on a kiosk near East Quadrangle were burning. Upon arrival, the DPS officer observed five young men leaving the area. He was able to apprehend one of the men while also extinguishing the fire. The suspect was charged with minor in possession of alcohol. At 4 a.m. the next night, the same officer extinguished a similar fire on a kiosk near the Michigan Union. No one sustained any injuries during the incidents.
“You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”
DPS officers will join with law enforcement officers across the state and country during the holiday season to enforce drunk driving laws. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in the United States dies in an alcohol-related crash. Locally, the enforcement effort will occur Dec. 19-Jan. 1. DPS officers will provide enforcement 9 p.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 22, 23 and 31.
