INCIDENT: Criminal Sexual Abuse

OCCURRED: Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 2:05 a.m.

LOCATION: 1100 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana (map)

BRIEF DETAILS:

On Saturday, February 22, 2014 at approximately 2:05 a.m. two females were walking near Pennsylvania Avenue and Dorner Drive in Urbana. The offender approached them and asked them for the time and then began to follow them. The offender followed the females to the area southwest of the Soybean Research Building (1100 W Pennsylvania Avenue) where he began groping and touching one of the females. He then pushed the female into a pile of snow and stood over her while he continued to grope her. The second female called 911 and the offender fled the scene.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

The females described the offender as a multiracial (white/black) male with a light brown skin tone, approximately 5’04” - 5’08” tall, thin build, and thin mustache with no other facial hair. He was wearing a blue stocking cap, blue pullover windbreaker (no zipper or hood), blue spandex type running pants, and tennis shoes.

Information about the race or ethnicity of alleged offenders is provided only to aid detailed descriptions that include physical stature, clothing or unusual characteristics. Racial descriptions do not, by themselves, offer a meaningful picture of an individual's appearance.

POLICE RESPONSE:

The University of Illinois Police Department is working to identify and apprehend the offender. Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the University Police Department at 333-1216 or Crime Stoppers at 373-TIPS (8477).

SAFETY INFORMATION:

Members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to follow these safety tips to decrease their potential for becoming a victim:

• Stay alert - call the police immediately to report suspicious activity and/or if this subject is observed.
• Trust your instincts - if it does not feel right, call for help.
• Avoid walking alone at night. Travel in groups when possible and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.
• Turn down your electronic devices. Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, etc.) can distract you from potential safety hazards.
• If you choose to consume alcohol, please drink moderately - remember your ability to respond is diminished by over-consumption of alcohol.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The University of Illinois, Champaign and Urbana Police Departments are collaborating to provide CrimeReports, a national crime mapping service, with up-to-date crime information. This map includes Clery crimes (homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft), as well as other crimes that are of concern to community members.

You can access the campus district crime map and sign up for daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts at www.CrimeReports.com. Access to the crime map is available 24 hours a day through the website or through a CrimeReports iPhone application, available for free download in the Apple iTunes store.

Information also can be shared anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 217-373-TIPS or online at: http://www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com/

Crimes in progress, reporting of suspicious individuals or any event requiring a police response should be reported to our regional dispatch center by calling 9-1-1.

Crime prevention information can be found on the University of Illinois Division of Public Safety website at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/campussafety.html

Updates to crime alerts can also be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu

SafeWalks is a courtesy service provided to University of Illinois students, faculty, or staff, so that they do not have to walk alone within the campus area. Information on SafeWalks can be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/SafeWalks.html

Jeffrey T. Christensen

Executive Director of Public Safety

Chief of Police

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu