sealPurdue News
_____

March 5, 1998

Police investigating battery/confinement incident

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University police are investigating a report that a woman walking alone on campus Wednesday night (3/4) was accosted by a man who held what she believed to be a gun to her back.

The woman told police she was walking eastbound north of Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry about 10:15 p.m. when a man approached her from behind, grabbed her left arm, stuck a circular hard object into her back, and told her to keep walking and not look back.

She said they walked quickly toward Brown Laboratory of Chemistry. He then pushed her forward and ran off in the other direction. The woman was uninjured. She could not give police a detailed description of the suspect.

Persons who may have information about the case are asked to call the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221.

"This incident brings up the issue of personal safety concerning walking alone late at night," said Ronald J. Fosnaugh, Purdue police captain of special services. "Having a companion or calling the Security Escort Service can provide welcome peace of mind."

The escort service, coordinated by the police department through its Purdue Student Security Patrol, provides on-call escort service Wednesday through Sunday nights. To request assistance, call (765) 494-SAFE.

Source: Capt. Ronald J. Fosnaugh, (765) 494-8221
Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

* To the Purdue News and Photos Page