Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje said an investigation into five recent attacks on women in the city, including two rapes Monday, is being treated "with the highest priority."
Police Chief Barnett Jones can have "whatever resources he needs in the way of overtime" to get to the bottom of the case, Hieftje said.
WEST UNIVERSITY, Texas – Crime Stoppers has increased the reward for information on three suspects in a violent robbery at a West U home last month.
It happened around 6 a.m. on June 15 at a home in the 4200 block of Bissonnett
Campus Crime Reports
2011-07-08 to 2011-07-11
A University employee reported that a brick had been thrown through the window of the laundry room door at Lamoine Village. Damage was estimated at $50.
Police seek information on University Avenue attacks
July 5, 2011
by John Lucas
21 162Email1Police are investigating a pair of recent violent incidents against women walking on University Avenue near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
MPD has supplied a sketch in connection to a July 2 attack in the 1700 block of University Avenue.
The cases may be connected and the UW Police Department and the Madison Police Department spent the weekend doing concentrated patrols in the area looking for more information on these crimes.
The first incident took place on the 400 block of Babcock Drive near University Avenue at approximately 3:41 a.m. on July 1.
A 22-year-old Madison woman had been out with friends, and was walking outbound on University Avenue. A man approached her and struck her in the neck. The blow knocked her down, and she believes she may have momentarily lost consciousness. Around the same time, a bicyclist arrived on the scene and scared away the assailant.
The suspect is described as male, 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium build, deep voice.
The second incident, classified as an attempted sexual assault, took place at 3:44 a.m. on July 2 in the 1700 block of University Avenue. The victim was walking home when an unknown male came from behind and struck her in the head. The victim was able to fight the male off and he fled the area.
In the second incident, the suspect is described as male, possibly Hispanic, late 20s-early 30s, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, wearing a black/dark T-shirt and tan cargo shorts, with short hair but slightly spiked on top. Madison police have provided a sketch.
Police continue to urge members of the campus community to consider their own personal safety, especially while out at night. General tips include:
- Never walk alone, particularly at night.
- Carry a cell phone and dial 911 for help.
- Campus and downtown are part of a growing city. Use your instincts and common sense as your first defense.
- If you plan to drink, do so in moderation to avoid putting yourself in a position of increased risk.
Anyone with information can call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014. Callers can remain anonymous.
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Lauren Giddings, a 2006 graduate of Agnes Scott College, is presumed dead after Macon police discovered the body of a woman beside her apartment building last week.
Police said they'll have to wait for DNA testing by the FBI to confirm the body's identity, but they believe it is Giddings.
As late as Sunday, investigators were back searching for more clues inside her apartment, which sits right across from Mercer University, where Giddings graduated from Law School in May.
A recent shooting at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity near California State University, Fresno, has jump-started a student-led movement to eradicate crime in the university neighborhood.
FRESNO – Recent violent activity near Fresno State, including separate stabbing and shooting incidents, led a group of students to come together and take a stand against crime.
On Thursday, these students took their concerns to the Fresno City Council. They want to get the city and the Fresno Police Department involved in a joint effort with the California State University campus to improve the areas around Fresno State and make them safer.
