University Woman Attacked at Frist; Police Have Not Identified Assailant

Matthew Hersh

A campus-wide alert has been issued to the University's undergraduate, graduate, and faculty community following an attack on a University undergraduate female.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. in a Frist Center restroom, resulted in no physical injury, according to Stephen Healy, director of the University's Public Safety.

The assailant, described as a Spanish-speaking male in his early 20s, crawled under a bathroom stall door in an attempt to assault the student, said Cass Cliatt, the University's media relations manager.

The man is said to be 5'6, between 160 and 170 pounds, with light brown complexion, brown eyes, dark brown, medium-cropped hair, a day's growth of facial hair. He was wearing a light-blue baseball cap with the word "Guatemala" embroidered on it, a pair of cargo shorts, and brown work boots, Ms. Cliatt said.

The assailant was also described has having a "nervous twitch" in the right shoulder area, Ms. Cliatt added.

Upon the assailant's entry to the stall, the victim screamed, causing the assailant to flee and prompting another individual in the restroom to look for help. Public Safety responded immediately.

The safety alert was put out at 12:25 a.m. Monday morning. The campus community was also advised that there was an active criminal investigation underway. The crime is being treated as an attempted assault.

Students are being asked to lock their dorm room doors at night, not to walk alone on campus, and to use the University's shuttle system.

Public Safety's Chief Healy described it as an isolated incident and said that his department and Princeton Borough Police are "working on a few leads." He could not comment as to whether the assailant were a member of the University community. Chief Healy said additional witnesses have come forward as a result of the safety alert.

For crime-prevention tips, visit web.princeton.edu/sites/publicsafety/crimetips.htm or call Public Safety at (609) 258-3134.