Police: UD women harrassed, assaulted in Newark

Several University of Delaware students were harassed and followed by a man late Friday evening, in separate incidents police believe may be related, according to Lt. Fred Nelson, a spokesperson for Newark Police.

It was around 10 p.m. Friday in the area of Lovett Avenue and Haines Street when police say a 19-year-old female University of Delaware student was harassed. She reported that she was grabbed on the shoulder and buttocks as she was walking on Haines Street. The suspect then continued to walk past the victim after grabbing her. She later called the police.

Nelson said the second incident occurred about 10:35 p.m. on the sidewalk in the first block of Prospect Avenue. The victim, a 20-year-old female University of Delaware student, reported that she was grabbed on her buttocks by a male as he walked by. He was last seen walking eastbound on Prospect Avenue.  This incident was reported to police about an hour and 20 minutes later.

Also an hour later, a third incident was reported. About 11:25 p.m.,  in the area of N. Chapel Street and New Street, two University of Delaware students, ages 20 and 21, reported that they were walking northbound on N. Chapel Street when a male began following them on foot.  The suspect continued following them to the area of Prospect Avenue until one of them contacted police by cell phone.  Officers checked the area for the suspect, however, they were unable to locate him.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or white male with a thin build, 20-30 years of age, standing 5 feet 7 inches. He has a beard and was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, with dark colored pants. No further description is available at this time.

There is no surveillance video available for release at this time.

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Nelson said in an emailed statement that the incident involving a University of Delaware student who was harassed and followed while walking home to her dorm Wednesday morning could not be linked to the three incidents that occurred late Friday night at this time.

"We are still investigating whether or not these incidents are related," he said.

It was around 2:30 a.m. on South Chapel Street in Newark when police say a small maroon SUV crossed paths with the student. The driver began yelling obscene things at her, causing the woman to quicken her pace onto campus, according to Newark Police Department Deputy Chief Kevin Feeney.

The incident became more alarming, Feeney said, when the student looked over her shoulder and found the man had left his vehicle and was following her on foot. She made it safely to her dorm and no further contact between them happened.

Investigators from Newark Police and the University of Delaware Police are actively working to identify a suspect in these incidents.  Anyone with additional information should contact Newark Police Detective William Anderson, (302) 366-7100 x3469, or William.Anderson@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous text message tip can be sent by texting 302NPD and your message to TIP411. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐TIP‐3333 or via the internet at www.tipsubmit.comwhere a reward may be available.

Contact Alonzo Small at (302) 324-2856 or asmall@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @P_AlonzoSmall.