INCIDENT:      Battery/Possible Attempted Sexual Assault

OCCURRED:   July 12, 2014 at 1:00I PM

LOCATION:   304 East Daniel Street, Champaign (map)

The Champaign Police Department is investigating a battery, possible attempted sexual assault that occurred at 304 East Daniel Street, Champaign.

BRIEF DETAILS:

The female victim reported that at approximately 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 12, 2014 she was attempting to enter her apartment when an unknown offender approached her from behind and pulled down her skirt. The offender was last seen running down the stairs of the apartment complex.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTION:

The victim described the offender as a black male in his 20’s with medium to dark complexion, 6’00” with thin to average build, short hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a white shirt and white pants that the victim described as a service uniform and was carrying a notebook.

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 Champaign Police Department is working to identify and apprehend the offender.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the Champaign Police Department at 351-4545 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