University of Iowa News Release

May 14, 2008

UI police report assault

The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety received a report of an assault that occurred at about 10:10 p.m. Monday night, May 12.

A woman was walking northbound on the Hawkeye Park Road approaching Prairie Meadow Drive when a man walked by her. As they passed, the man tried to grab the woman by her arm and shoulder and pull her into a grass field. She yelled for help and the suspect ran away.
 
The suspect is described as a white male, in his mid 20’s, thin, with a small thin face, wearing an unknown type of cap, possibly wool. Police do not know whether this incident is related to other assaults in the community over the past year.
 
The Department of Public Safety recommends that students, particularly women, take precautions by walking with others, especially late at night, and that they take advantage of NITE RIDE, self defense courses and other services available on campus. Information about these services is available on the UI’s Rape Victim Advocacy Program’s Web site at http://www.rvap.org/pages/get_help_now/

Anyone who sees suspicious activity should report it immediately to UI police at 319-335-5022.

This information is being released in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses, including timely warnings of crimes that may represent a threat to the safety of students or employees.

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500.

MEDIA CONTACTS: David A. Visin, UI Police, 319-335-5022, dave-visin@uiowa.edu;  Stephen Pradarelli, 319-384-0007, stephen-pradarelli@uiowa.edu.