Assailant still on the prowl

by Natalie Myers and Erica Solvig
Staff Writer

An early morning assault Friday left Ohio University officials warning students to be alert.

A female student allegedly was assaulted by a male at about 1:30 a.m. in a Seigfred Hall art gallery, according to an OU news release. The man used an object that he found in the art gallery in the assault.

The woman was working on a project in the building when the incident occurred; she was not seriously injured. The assailant left the area by foot after the assault, said Tony Camechis, assistant chief of the OU Police Department.

OUPD officers patrolling the area heard screaming and assisted the woman. OUPD also received calls from nearby witnesses.

Judy Reed, assistant to the Visual Communications director, said an e-mail was sent to all Visual Communication students. The college is housed in Seigfred Hall.

"We wanted to warn students that there was a problem," Reed said.

OUPD also has distributed posters around campus describing the incident and a description of the assailant.

The assault remains under investigation. Officers are looking for a white male with dark hair and eyes who is about 5 feet 9 inches tall and of medium build. He had no facial hair. The assailant was wearing a short black leather jacket, a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and dark shoes, according to the release.

People who were in or near Seigfred Hall at the time or who have information are asked to call OUPD at 593-1911.