Published: May 16, 2008 01:34 am            

Students, residents urged to take precautions

A Sam Houston State University police official recommends that persons on campus as well as in the city take extra precautions after two reported crimes on campus involving individuals with weapons in the past two weeks.

A female who is not a student but works at a fast food restaurant just south of the campus reported that she was sexually assaulted about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday as she walked across campus on her way home, which is northeast of the campus.

The female said that two black and one Hispanic male, one with a handgun and one with a knife, assaulted her on an intramural field just east of Johnson Coliseum.

On April 29, a male student reported to University Police that he was robbed at gunpoint about 11 p.m. near the fountain in the central part of the campus.

One of two men who took a drawstring bag that included his cell phone had a handgun, he reported.

In both instances, one of the suspects was described as a black male about 6-2 in height, and wearing a “do-rag.” The other black male was shorter but accounts differed on height — one said 5-11 and another 5-7.

The Hispanic male present during the reported sexual assault was described as about 5-7.

Kevin Morris, assistant director of the SHSU police force, who is directing the investigations, said that his investigators met with Huntsville police department detectives and discussed whether the same individuals could have been involved in both campus incidents.

Morris said that two individuals with similar descriptions also have been reported as committing similar acts in Huntsville off the SHSU campus.

Morris suggested that extra precautions should be taken throughout the city, especially at night, because of the reported incidents.

“While walking on campus after dark, and other parts of the city as well, make sure that you walk in well-lit areas and in groups of two or more,” Morris said. “Avoid walking through densely vegetated areas such as shrubs and trees or corridors between buildings, and follow paths most pedestrians use.”

For those on campus, there is additional help.

“We have an escort service from one campus location to another for faculty, staff and students,” he said. “Just contact our offices at ext 41794 or (936) 294-1794 to make the arrangements. Escorts are offered during each semester during the nighttime hours.”

Morris said that anyone with information about the individuals suspected of the two crimes can contact Huntsville Crime Stoppers at (936) 294-9494.

Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to a felony arrest.

        

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