Police: No arrests made in sublet-related incidents

Although posters have elicited leads, officials said an attacker remains at-large and all renters should take caution.

Despite the flier effort and widespread warnings, the State College Police Department has not yet found the man suspected of sexually assaulting women while expressing interest in subletting their apartments.

"Nothing's changed in the past three weeks since the winter break," said Sgt. Dana Leonard of State College police.

The suspect has been described as a white man between 5 foot 8 inches and 6 foot 2 inches tall, of medium build, in his early 20s, with distinctive blue eyes and dirty blond hair, who wears a blue or blue and red baseball cap.

The most recent two incidents occurred Nov. 23. The suspect sexually assaulted one woman in her apartment on the 600 block of South Pugh Street. One half hour later, the suspect, posing as someone interested in looking at a sublet for his girlfriend, pulled a gun on two women showing him their apartment in Beaver Plaza, 222 W. Beaver Ave.

In an effort to alert students, fliers were distributed shortly after the Nov. 23 incidents, Leonard said. Many people have called in response to the fliers, but police have not found the suspect at this point, he said. Police do not know if the suspect is a resident of State College, an employee in the State College area or a person who passed through town, Leonard added.

"We haven't ruled out any possibilities," Leonard said.

The first incident occurred May 1, 1997, when a University student reported she was raped by a man who claimed to be answering a classified advertisement in The Daily Collegian for a summer sublet for his girlfriend.

The woman was alone when the man arrived at her Park Place apartment, 224 S. Burrowes St. After she finished showing him her apartment, the suspect cut the phone line and allegedly raped her.

The second incident occurred Aug. 2, 1997, when a female realty agent on the 100 block of Locust Lane was accosted by a suspicious man who attempted to convince the agent to show him the apartment.

Leonard emphasized the importance of care in any subletting situation.

"Be suspicious, be wary . . . if you are going to talk to a person or invite them in, make sure there are several people with you."

Concern among some students has prompted many to change their lifestyles and take extra precautions.

"You do think about it a little more," said Emily Hoober (graduate-special education), adding that the recent incidents were one of the reasons she decided not to try to sublet her apartment this semester.

The assaults have altered the lifestyles of many residents who live in Beaver Plaza as well.

Emmalia Roufas-Abbey (junior-media studies) said her friends, residents of Beaver Plaza, have become more cautious of visitors knocking on the door and always lock their door.

"It definitely had an impact on this building," she said.

The impact of the assaults may make students act with more caution, but many students still need to sublet their apartment for monetary reasons.

"Lots of students have to sublet," said Yoko Narita (senior-biology), "even in the middle of the semester."