The MU Police Department received a report of a sexual assault of a female student near the Virginia Avenue Parking Structure at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, according to an email to students and staff that went out at 8:58 p.m. Sunday.
The initial release stated the department was also notified of, but was not able to confirm, a second similar instance that they believe the same suspect might have committed. Since then, the department has released a second crime alert detailing three related “suspicious incidents” in which the same suspect approached additional women. The release states that these incidents are not considered crimes.
A third crime alert, on Monday afternoon, said an on-duty MUPD officer observed the suspect walking on campus. He was taken to MUPD for further investigation.
MUPD Maj. Brian Weimer said the student who contacted MUPD about her assault — which, according to the email, involved the suspect following her, then hugging and kissing her — said she heard of another person who had been assaulted in the same way, around the same time and location.
The student was able to resist the suspect’s advances and walk away unharmed.
According to the second crime alert, the same suspect approached two additional women between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 near the Virginia Ave. garage and one additional woman at around 4 p.m. Feb. 7 near Hamilton Way and Hitt Street. With all three women, he engaged in small talk and asked to walk them home, and asked the women near the Virginia Ave. garage for a hug. He introduced himself by first name, but used a different name every time.
The third release said investigators are currently working with the accuser to determine the best course of action.
_Edited by Madi McVan | mmcvan@themaneater.com_