Police search for assault suspects


Wednesday, April 1, 1998	Police search for assault suspects By BETH BAUMGARDNER Collegian Staff Writer University police are continuing to investigate two separate assaults that occurred early Sunday morning that resulted in five students being physically attacked. It is unknown if the two assaults are related, said Dwight Smith, University Police Services supervisor. However, he said it may be possible because of the small time span between the attacks and because both assaults were on campus. All of the victims involved were also male, he said.
Suspect in first assault (Courtesy of the University Department of Public Information)	"It's unusual to have two assaults that close together and similar in nature," Smith said, adding that the motive for the attacks is unclear. The first assault occurred at about 1 a.m. Sunday near the south side of Weaver Building. Two white males attacked four University students, according to a University police news release. One victim was a passer-by who attempted to intervene, Smith said. One victim from the assault was taken to Centre Community Hospital for severe facial injuries, Smith said. The victim was discharged, but he requires follow-up care with specialists, Smith said.
Suspect in first assault (Courtesy of the University Department of Public Information)	The first suspect is a 5-foot-7-inch white man between 18 and 24 years old with very short brown hair, according to the news release. He has a muscular build and is about 160 to 170 pounds, according to the release. This suspect, referred to as "Lou" by the second suspect, is also believed to have sustained facial injuries, including marks on his neck and forehead, according to the release. The suspect was not wearing a shirt and may have left behind a light gray Banana Republic cap, according to the release. The second suspect is a college-aged man 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall with a thin build and wearing a white T-shirt, according to the release. The second assault took place at about 3:40 a.m. near the southeast corner of the Penn State Bookstore. During the attack, one victim was confronted by three individuals and was kicked and knocked to the ground, according to the release. The suspect identified as the main assailant in the second attack is a white man between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a muscular build and dark hair, according to the release. The other two suspects are also white men, one of them about 5 feet 7 inches tall and the other about 6 feet tall, according to the release. A second group of individuals may have witnessed the incident, Smith said, but the investigation is progressing slowly. "We've been interviewing some witnesses. Some people (that have information) have come forward," Smith said. Until the alleged assailants are apprehended, Smith advises taking extra precautions. Pam Gerber, witness advocate and supervisor of the University Escort Service, warns that walking in a large group does not guarantee that one will not become a victim. Gerber encourages students to utilize the escort service. "We strongly urge students to take advantage of this service," Gerber said. "That's what we are here for." Though Smith also recommends taking precautions, he said there is no evidence that the attacks will continue. If a person does encounter a conflict, the person should contact University police immediately, Smith said.