ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University students, especially women, are encouraged to be especially cautious in the wake of recent reports of attempted assaults in residence halls. Four female students have reported incidents of a male attempting to accost them this week.
"We take our students' safety most seriously, and we urge them to be take extra precautions until this individual is apprehended," Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Sostarich said. "Avoid walking alone, be especially vigilant and look out for one another's well-being. If anyone knows who is responsible, we urge them to step forward and contact the Ohio University Police Department. The university continues to do all it can to find the person responsible."
Anyone with information about the attempted assaults or assailant should call the Ohio University Police Department, (740) 593-1911.
The same assailant is suspected in all the attacks. He is described as a white male, approximately 5-foot, 8-inches tall with a slender build, weighing approximately 140 to 170 pounds. He was described to have short blonde/brown hair and is approximately 20 years old.
A female student reported that at approximately 12:15 a.m. Thursday, a man followed her into Martzolff Hall, where he pushed her against a wall and made unwanted advances. He attempted to drag her down a hall, but she was able to flee.
At 2:15 a.m. Thursday, a man approached a female resident of James Hall while she was in the shower. He made physical contact, but he left when she screamed.
Between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. Friday, a man fitting the same general description of the attacker from the previous night assaulted two female residents of Brown Hall.
Crime alerts have been posted throughout campus, and the university police department has been vigorously investigating the crimes since the first reports. Police patrols have been increased on campus and will continue to be until the perpetrator has been caught. Also, the police department is working with the Residence Life staff to increase the security presence in the residence halls.
