Notice of off-campus sexual battery

September 20, 2011

The following information was reported to the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) and is being distributed to the campus community due to the crime’s close proximity to the University of Florida campus:

The GPD are looking for a man who sexually battered a woman as she was walking home from a midtown bar early Tuesday morning. According to information provided by the GPD, the crime happened around 1:40 a.m. in the 300 block of Northwest 18th Street. The victim indicated that a man grabbed her around the neck from behind with this left arm and assaulted her with his right hand. The victim then fought back and the man fled the area. After fighting the man off, the victim ran to her boyfriend’s house nearby to call for help.

The suspect is said to be a white man with dark hair, 5’, 7-8” tall and weighed about 155 pounds, according to the victim. He was wearing a green polo shirt and khaki shorts at the time of the incident. Anyone with information about the incident or who may know the man’s identity is asked to call police at (352) 955-1818. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (352) 372-STOP (7867).

The UFPD would also like to remind everyone of these basic safety considerations:

  • Avoid walking alone. On campus, use the Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol (SNAP), a safe campus escort service by calling (352) 392-SNAP (7627). SNAP operates from 6:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. throughout the week.
  • Stay in well-lighted areas, away from alleys, bushes, and entryways.
  • Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
  • If a driver stops to ask directions, avoid getting close to the car.
  • If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction. You should go to a location where other people are and get assistance. Also be sure to call police.
  • Don’t hitchhike and only accept rides from people you know well.
  • Always be alert and aware. If someone bothers you, don’t be embarrassed to attract attention to yourself. Yell!
  • Always try to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.