Student reports being fondled at Read Center

A 20-year-old student reported being fondled by a man in Read Center early Friday morning, \nAccording to police reports, officers were dispatched to Read after the woman told police that around 7:15 a.m., she was approached by a man as she walked near a third floor elevator at Read. She said the man dropped his pants, pushed her up against the wall and began fondling her "all over her body." She said she pushed the man off of her and he ran into the Read-Curry wing of Read Center.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said the woman was not injured during the incident, but was very fearful for her safety.\nPolice describe the suspect as between 18-22 and approximately 5'10" tall with light brown hair, khaki pants and a striped polo shirt. \nMinger said the incident is under investigation and he encourages anyone who might have any information to contact the Investigation Section of the IUPD at 855-4111.\nMinger said its hard to say how often these types of incidents occur. However, he said this particular incident was unusual given the time, place and manner in which it occurred.\n"Normally, these types of incidents happen during some kind of social event," he said. "To happen at this time in the morning on a floor in a residence hall is extremely unusual."\nMinger said as part of the investigation, police are increasing patrol at Read Center by making extra stops and walk-throughs in and around the residence hall. \n"Because the suspect did not have a coat on and his shirt was noticeable, it's likely he didn't come from outside the building," Minger said. "He might have lived there or was visiting there and we are considering it an isolated incident."\nJeremy Jordan, assistant residential manager at Read Center would not comment on the incident. He referred all questions to Director of Residential Programs and Services Bob Weith, who is out of town until next week.\nAccording to Indiana law, fondling falls under public indecency and is considered a Class A misdemeanor. The crime carries a jail sentence of no more than a year in addition to up to $5,000 in fines. Indecent exposure is a Class C misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Lori Geller at lfgeller@indiana.edu.