Indianapolis News and Headlines

Actions

Indiana University did not send an alert to students after series of off-campus break-ins

Posted at 11:43 AM, Sep 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-09 18:39:22-04

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University students did not receive an alert following a series of break-ins and attempted sexual assaults that happened just a few miles from the Bloomington campus.

University officials say they only activate IU Notify if a threat takes place on campus or if there is a threat, like an armed person, heading toward campus.

That was not the case with four burglaries and attempted sexual assaults over that took place over three days off campus. 

IU police say their focus is on campus safety, but at least one student says it should extend off campus as well.

"When something is a legitimate risk to student safety, even if we are off campus, to a large number of students.. I mean four attempted break-ins... that's something I'd like to know about," said Sean Buehler, IU senior.

"How far above do you go and where do you stop? So we go out two blocks and someone says 'my student or staff lives four blocks' and it keeps going. The Department of Education says you will do it for your campus and that's where we're at," said Lt. Craig Monroe, IU Police Department.

A spokeswoman for IU says they are looking at ways to best notify students off campus, but there is no timeline to review procedures and change the alert system.

IUPD, Division of Student Affairs, Public Safety and Institutional Assurance, as well as students and others will be involved in the conversation.

The series of break-ins began on September 5 around 5 a.m. Bloomington police responded to S. Henderson for a reported burglary and attempted sexual assault. The victim told police she was sleeping on the couch when a male wearing a mask touched her leg. She pulled the mask from his face and he ran from the home.

Several incidents were reported on September 8.

BPD first responded to a home on E. 2nd Street around 2:15 a.m. for a report of another burglary and attempted sexual assault. The victim told police that she woke in her bed to find a man wearing a mask standing over her. The man told her to take off her clothes or he would kill her. He then attempted to remove her clothing. The victim told police she screamed and fought back against the suspect and he ran.

Then around 5 a.m. BPD officers were called to a home on S. Washington Street. The victim there told police that she woke up when her dog started barking and was confronted by a man wearing a mask who was standing outside her bedroom door. The man did not attempt anything and ran when the woman saw him.

Also around 6 a.m. officers were called to a home on E. Melrose Avenue. The victim there told police she woke and found a man wearing a mask crouched next to her bed. She began screaming and the suspect ran from the home.

Investigators do believe that all four of these incidents are connected and the description of the suspect remains consistent. He’s described as a white male in his mid to late 20’s, approximately 5’11” to 6’1” tall with a thin build.

Police say the victims’ home was unlocked in every case.

BPD is actively investigating all of these cases and encouraging people, particularly on the southeast side of Bloomington, to make sure to lock their doors and windows. Additionally, they suggest leaving exterior lights on at night and keeping blinds and curtains closed.

If you see any suspicious activity around your home call 911.