To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Chief Jeff Christensen" <dps-mail@illinois.edu>

Reply-To: dps-mail@illinois.edu
 Subject: Public Safety Bulletin - Attempted Sexual Assault

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

In the interest of safety awareness on campus, we wish to inform our
community of an attempted sexual assault incident within the Campus District.

The Champaign Police Department is requesting assistance from anyone
knowing the whereabouts of an unknown suspect who is wanted for attempting
to sexually assault a 21 year-old woman on July 6, 2008, sometime around
2:15 a.m.

On July 6, 2008, officers were dispatched to meet a complainant regarding a
battery and attempted sexual assault that allegedly occurred in the 500
block of East Healey Street.  The officer was informed that an unknown
suspect came up behind victim in her apartment complex and grabbed her. 
The suspect threatened both bodily and sexual harm to the victim.  The
victim struggled with the suspect and yelled for help, which alerted people
nearby.  The suspect then fled the building and to date has not been
located.  The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 25
y/o, 5'7", 160 lbs wearing a white T-shirt with red graffiti and blue jeans.  

The Champaign Police Department is working with the University of Illinois
Police Department to alert students and campus residents of this crime and
provide public safety information.  The University of Illinois Police
Department will continue to work with the Champaign Police Department to
identify and apprehend this suspect.

The Champaign Police Department is also seeking assistance from the
community and urges citizens to contact the Investigation Division at (217)
351-4545 with information regarding this crime.  Callers can also remain
anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-TIPS or by submitting
tips online at: www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com.  Tips can also be
sent by texting the following: Tip387 plus the information to CRIMES (274637)

Safety Tips  

*Travel in groups when possible and avoid walking alone!  If you must walk
alone, inform others of your activities and route of travel.  Don't let
alcohol or other drugs cloud your judgment or reduce your reaction time.

*Stay in well-lit or highly traveled areas when walking, particularly at
night.  Be wary of isolated spots - apartment laundry rooms, underground
garages, parking lots, offices after business hours.  

*Trust your instincts.  If a situation or place makes you feel
uncomfortable or uneasy, or if you feel you are being followed, go to a
public building, residence or store and call 911.  

*If using a cell phone or listening to a portable music device, be aware of
surroundings at all times.  Avoid distractions when possible.

*If you are confronted by an offender, pay close attention to physical
characteristics, i.e., tattoos or markings, height, weight, apparel,
hair/eye color etc.

*If you are robbed and the offender asks for your purse or backpack, don't
hand it to them but throw it away from you.  Run in the other direction, if
possible.

*Use your loudest voice to scream for help, but if there is no one around,
scream "NO!" and hold your hand in a stop position as you are backing away.
 Talk, stall for time, and assess your options. 

*Lock the doors and windows to your home or apartment.  Secure all easily
accessible windows and use peepholes to identify visitors. 


Sincerely,

Jeff Christensen

Interim Executive Director of Public Safety
- Chief of Police
Division of Public Safety
University of Illinois Police DepartmentThis mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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