PUBLIC SAFETY BULLETIN -- UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS POLICE SEEK PERPETRATOR OF WEEKEND ATTACK

If you have any information about the person or situation described below please contact University Police Captain Brad Bruns at 575-3204 or by e-mail at bradb@uark.edu. Confidential information may also be submitted using the e-mail feature on the University Police web page at www.uark.edu/~uapdinfo. You do not have to give your name.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Officials with the University of Arkansas Police Department want the campus community to be aware that officers are seeking the perpetrator of an attack on a UA student that took place over the weekend. They ask anyone with information that could lead to the attacker’s identity to please call UAPD.

On Saturday, December 8, at 6:11 p.m., a UA student reported to UAPD that an unidentified man had threatened her with a knife while she was walking on the sidewalk on Dickson Street near Buchanan Avenue.

The student told police that she met a male subject walking the opposite direction. As they passed, she heard him mumble something but did not understand the words. A few seconds later after she had crossed Buchanan Avenue she heard someone running up behind her. She turned and saw it was the same subject. He had what she described to be a hunting knife in his hand and he grabbed her and held the knife close to her neck. The subject said things to her and touched her with his other hand. She grabbed his wrist and was able to push the knife away. She screamed and the subject ran away southbound on Buchanan Avenue. The student ran up to the corner of Dickson Street and Ozark Avenue and used the Emergency Telephone to summon police. She was not injured. An immediate search of the area was unsuccessful.

The suspect is described as a white male with a slender build around five feet eight inches tall with blond hair. He was wearing a baseball cap, a white T-shirt (untucked) and light-colored pants. The student reported that the suspect smelled of alcohol.

He remains at large. Citizens are encouraged to use caution and be alert when parking or walking on campus, especially after dark.

If anyone has seen a person who matches the description of this suspect, the police department requests your assistance in identifying him. If you have any information about this person or about what happened, please contact University Police Captain Brad Bruns at 575-3204 or by e-mail at bradb@uark.edu. Confidential information may also be submitted using the e-mail feature on the University Police web page at www.uark.edu/~uapdinfo. You do not have to give your name.

Everyone is encouraged to walk in pairs or in groups. As an alternative to walking alone, the Razorback Patrol Escort Service is available Sunday through Thursday, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, at 575-2222. Police officers will provide escorts at other times.