Female renter receives suspicious phone call

The State College Police Department is investigating a suspicious phone call made to a woman subletting her apartment last week.

The male caller said he was an interested buyer, however, the woman thought he sounded suspicious and did not invite him into her home, according to a press release from State College police.

Last year, State College police were called to investigate three sexual assaults of women who were showing their apartments to boyfriends of potential subletters.

The suspect in the cases last year posed as a possible tenant responding to sublet ads to gain entrance into women's homes. The suspect's identity is unknown.

Police encourage apartment renters to use caution when interviewing prospective subletters.

Renters are warned not allow callers to enter the apartment unless several other people are present and not allow them to visit the apartment immediately after calling.

State College police also stress the importance of informing authorities when a suspicious phone call is received, and using call trace (*57 on a touch-tone phone).

--by Katherine Morris