CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Students on UNC Charlotte’s campus are on edge following two reported sexual assaults over the weekend, and police think the same man may be responsible.
Police said just before 9 a.m. Sunday, a man was able to get inside a dorm in the Gree Village on campus and assaulted a female student.
Investigators said the suspect walked into the dorm and touched a female student inappropriately and made lewd comments.
The man ran off before police arrived.
Later Sunday afternoon, around 4 p.m., police responded to another assault call, this time at the University Crossing Apartments on University City Boulevard, which are located off campus.
Police said a woman in her 40s was assaulted in the parking garage of the apartment complex. Investigators said the man, fitting a similar description as the earlier assault, grabbed the woman's breast and buttocks, and then left.
University officials sent out an advisory urging students to be careful.
When it’s dark out, officials suggest students use the emergency blue lights that are all over campus, so they can get an escort or help if they see something that doesn't look right.
Channel 9 spoke with several students who said it is always a concern because the campus is so open.
“It's so convenient for anyone to just come in and students are so oblivious, so they can let anyone in,” student Morgan Low said.
“It's still hard though because you just never know who the person is and where their place is and if they do live there,” student Taliaha Cofield said.
Police described the man as African-American, with short hair, and about 5 feet 8 inches tall.
“This is an awful person who took advantage of an incident, and that's what happened,” campus police Chief Jeff Baker said.
UNC Charlotte officials sent out the following alert:
When the UNC Charlotte Police Department verifies that a serious incident has occurred that could impact the University community, we issue an advisory to increase everyone’s awareness and safety.
Date: 02-04-2018
Time: 8:57 a.m.
Location: Greek Village
Incident: Assault
Suspect Info: Black Male, in his 30’s, approx. 5’8” with short hair/knit beanie wearing grey hoodie sweatshirt, dark pants, black shoes, possibly homeless.
Summary: On 02/04/18 at 2:04 p.m. the victim reported to the UNC Charlotte Police a detailed report of the above described suspect that gained access into a resident hall in Greek Village. The victim stated once inside the suspect made a lewd comment to the victim and was told to leave the building. The suspect then ran toward the victim grabbing her hand and touching the victim's buttocks. The victim screamed and the suspect fled the building. Officers searched the area for the suspect and observed an individual matching the description walking in the Mallard Green Apartment complex; Officers lost sight and were not able to locate him again.
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