News Release

UNC student reports attempted sexual assault; police offer safety tips

CHAPEL HILL -- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill police are warning the campus community to stay alert and take extra safety precautions in the wake of a reported attempted sexual assault near a residence hall shortly before 3 a.m. today (April 28).

The victim was preparing to enter Avery Residence Hall on Ridge Road when she was approached and grabbed by an unknown male, according to UNC police. The victim deterred the suspect, who then fled on foot, northbound on Ridge Road.

The suspect is a black male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a light-to-medium complexion and was reportedly unarmed, police said. He was last seen wearing a light-colored long-sleeve shirt of thermal-weave material, blue jeans and athletic shoes.

UNC police already had increased patrols on campus, a standard procedure at the beginning and end of academic semesters. Campus community members should be particularly alert at night if they are involved in academic or social activities typically scheduled at this time of the school year.

Public safety officials specifically urged the university community to follow the following safety tips.

• Don't walk alone at night. Use the buddy system. Walk in well-lit areas of campus.
  
  
• Immediately report any and all suspicious activity to law enforcement by calling 911. Remember that 911 is not only for emergencies. If you do not have a cell phone, use the call boxes located across campus.
  
  
• Use UNC's Point-to-Point express service, free to students, operating between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. nightly.
  
  
• After 3 a.m. use UNC's free Point-to-Point demand service by calling 962-7867 (962-P-TO-P) and providing your UNC personal identification number. The service is available at night to UNC students, faculty and staff at locations not served by the P2P Express Route or after normal P2P Express service hours.
  
  
• Use Chapel Hill Transit, free to all passengers. Web site: www.chtransit.org
  
  
• Use the free Safe Ride Program, serving parts of campus, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro from 11:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Web site: www.unc.edu/saferide.

For more information, click to www.dps.unc.edu

UNC police ask anyone with information in connection with the case to call the department at 962-8100 or Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 942-7515. All conversations are confidential; no one must identify themselves or appear in court

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Public safety contact: Randy Young, (919) 962-1502
News Services contact: Lisa Katz, (919) 962-2093