CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT - EAST BANK
POSTED: December 10, 2008

On Tuesday, December 9, at approximately 6:00 p.m., a University of Minnesota student was the victim of criminal sexual contact involving inappropriate sexual contact on Washington Avenue.

The victim was walking westbound on Washington Avenue in front of Moos Tower when the suspect ran up behind her and grabbed her genital area. The suspect then ran off. The suspect is described as a black male with a dark complexion, approximately six feet three inches to six feet four inches tall with a light build. The suspect had scruffy facial hair and was wearing a black, bulky jacket and a stocking cap.

Also on December 9, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a University of Minnesota student was a victim of indecent exposure near the Science Classroom Building on Pleasant Street.

As the victim walked toward the Science Classroom Building, a man approached and exposed himself to her. The suspect then fled north on Pleasant Street. The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-40s, approximately five feet seven inches to five feet eleven inches tall. The suspect was wearing round glasses, a navy blue jacket and a dark stocking cap.

The two crimes are believed to be separate and unrelated. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the University of Minnesota Police Department at 612-624-COPS (2677).

As a reminder, racial descriptors alone are not a valid reason to profile or cast suspicion on an individual. In cases of serious crime such as this we may include them only as part of the totality of circumstances, if it may reasonably assist in the identification of the perpetrators.

Please remember the following:

* When threatened with a weapon, it's best not to resist. Your personal safety is more important than a lost wallet or cell phone.
* Always be aware of your surroundings.
* Walk in well lit areas and don't walk alone. If you can't find someone to walk with, call the Campus Escort service at 612-624-WALK for a free security escort.
* Carry minimal amounts of valuables.
* Keep written records of valuables, including model and serial numbers, in a safe place.
* Call 911 immediately if you are the victim or witness to a crime.
* Document information about the suspect for police (i.e. clothing descriptions, facial features, piercings or tattoos, speech, etc.)

This Crime Alert is sent in compliance with the federal Clery Act which requires universities to alert the campus community of crimes that may pose an ongoing threat to students and employees. For updates on any developments in this case, please visit the Crime Alerts page on the UMPD website: http://www1.umn.edu/police/alerts.html