Cadet released from IUPD program

The IU Police Department released one of its cadets from the program Friday after he was arrested by the Bloomington Police Department under suspicion of burglary, theft, intimidation, interfering with the reporting of a crime and consumption of alcohol.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said IUPD formally released former cadet Steven J. Fernandez, 20, after it was made aware of his arrest. \nAccording to a March 3 Indiana Daily Student article, Fernandez was arrested by the BPD after he allegedly burglarized the home of an 87-year-old woman and threatened to shoot her.\n"He was called in the next day and was formally told that he was severed from the department," Minger said.\nMinger said that at the beginning of the program, all cadets are informed that they are held to a higher standard than other citizens.\n"(Removal due to arrest) is not out of the ordinary," he said. "All cadets are informed that should they do anything illegal, unethical or immoral, they more than likely will be severed from the program."\n

Woman attacked, shook off muggers

\nA 21-year-old female was attacked outside her apartment in the 300 block of East University Street as she was walking to her car in a nearby parking lot. \nAccording to the police report, two men whistled at her and then attempted to steal her purse. The victim told police one man grabbed her purse, which was hanging across her shoulders, and began pulling it and struggling with her. \nThe second man lifted his shirt, revealing his waistband and the black handle of a gun, which was tucked into his pants. \nThe woman told police she began screaming loudly, at which point one of the men put his hand over her mouth. \nAfter struggling for a few moments, the woman was able to pull away from the men, who then ran off in the direction of South Lincoln Avenue. \nThe woman described her attackers as white men wearing blue jeans. One was about 6'2" with a dark-haired crew cut and a beige T-shirt; the second had short blond hair and was wearing a white T-shirt, she said.\n-- Contact BPD at 339-4477.