Police Information in reference to an Off-Campus Incident –RCSO # 2007-072555
TIMELY NOTIFICATION BULLETIN
Possible Threat to the Community
"Your Right to Know"
October 17, 2007
TIME: Evening hours of Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at approximately
8:30-9:00p.m.
SUSPECT: White male, short stature, heavy set, medium length white
hair, age unknown, with one eye described as ÒabnormalÓ by alleged victim. Subject reportedly was operating a Jeep
vehicle, color white, having two doors. Subject also has been seen operating a construction
truck, white in color, in the days prior to the reported incident. Subject reportedly works in construction,
possibly in the area of Eastern Mennonite University.
In compliance with the "Timely
Notice" provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus
Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 the University Police are giving notice of an alleged
abduction and sexual battery of a female James Madison University student.
On the evening of October
17th personnel from the Rockingham County SheriffÕs Office became
aware of a reported abduction and sexual battery involving a female
victim. According to the victim,
she was being given a ride home by the male subject, known to her, following
class in JMUÕs Memorial Hall (former Harrisonburg High School). That location is
along South High Street across from the intersection with Cantrell Avenue. The subject had previously given her
rides to/from class without incident. On this occasion, after picking her up, he reportedly drove south, away
from the victimÕs home area, into rural Rockingham County to a location near
the Town of Dayton. Once there he
reportedly committed several acts of sexual battery. The victim was able to escape from his slow moving vehicle.
Members of the University
community are urged to be vigilant and report any unusual circumstances and/or
suspicious activities/persons. Until this investigation has been
concluded it can be assumed that conditions continue to exist that may pose a
threat to members and guests of the community. It is the duty of the
institution to warn of possible "dangerous conditions" on its
property; an "affirmative duty" exists to warn of possible peril at
the hands of some third party.
Anyone with information on the reported
incident should call Harrisonburg Crime Solvers at 574-5050, the Rockingham
County SheriffÕs Office at 564-3800 or contact the James Madison University
Police by telephone at (540)568-6911; in person at Anthony Seeger Hall, West
Grace and South Main; by e-mail publicsafety@jmu.edu,
or, if desired, anonymously through ÒSilent Witness,Ó at: http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/SilentWitness.shtml.
The poster version of this message
suitable for posting on bulletin boards in your area are available at the
Timely Notice web site http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/IncidentListings.shtml in PDF or HTML format. Please download, print and post. Be careful
to reconcile the case number and date on the poster version selected with that
found at the head of this message.
Thank you.