Police still searching for sexual assault suspect
More than two weeks after a female student reported being physically and sexually assaulted in a Wannamaker Dormitory bathroom, University police said they have made no arrests in the case.
When the woman entered the second-floor bathroom in Wannamaker Dormitory at 5:20 a.m. Oct. 9, she was grabbed by a young man who was already inside the bathroom. A struggle ensued, and the woman attempted to ward off her attacker with a penknife she kept on her keychain. The attacker grabbed the penknife and cut the woman on the face, chest, arm and thigh.
The man then allegedly tried to sexually assault the woman, but she was able to escape to her dorm room and call the police. The woman was taken to the Duke Hospital emergency room and later released, University officials said.
The assailant was described as a white man, 18 to 25 years old, between 5'10" and 6' tall, with a stocky build and longish brown hair. He was wearing a red shirt and jeans.
Student reports assault at West Campus party
A student reported that he was assaulted by two or three men while attending a party at a West Campus dormitory Oct. 20. The victim reported that the suspects who assaulted him were students from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but he did not know them.
Police charge visitor with hospital assault
A visitor to Duke University Hospital reported she was assaulted in a patient's room Oct. 21 at 12:13 p.m. The victim reported that her boyfriend came into the room, threatened her and pushed her down. Officers charged Jose Linto with domestic assault on a female. Linto was held without bond, and his court date is set for Dec. 9. He could not be reached for comment.
Police arrest impaired driver
Patrol officers stopped a vehicle driving erratically on Buchanan Blvd. Oct. 18 at 11:09 p.m. Officers charged Edgar Lopez, who has no known Duke affiliation, with driving while impaired. Lopez was transported to the Magistrate's office and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. He could not be reached for comment.
Visitor reports stolen ATM card, money taken
A visitor reported that her ATM card was stolen from her purse while she was visiting a patient at the Duke University Hospital Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. She said she left her purse on a stool for a short while and noticed the purse had been moved when she returned. When she contacted her bank to report the theft, she found that $400 had been withdrawn from her account.
Employee's car broken into
Someone broke into an employee's car while it was parked in the "H" lot on Erwin Road and Yearby Street between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 21. The victim reported that a $250 compact disc player was stolen and the center console was damaged, with damage totaling $100. The victim reported that the vehicle had been locked, and there were no signs of forced entry.
Edens resident reports damage to car
Someone broke the rear wiper blade off a vehicle when it was parked in the Edens parking lot between midnight and 4:20 p.m. Oct. 20, causing $200 in damage.
Bryan Center vending machine damaged
A housekeeping employee reported finding a damaged vending machine in the Bryan Center Oct. 20 at 3:48 p.m. Responding officers found the snack machine with the front glass panel pushed in. Some of the items in the machine were reported stolen. The cash box in the machine was not entered, but damage totaled $200.
Wallet stolen from WilRec
A student's wallet was allegedly stolen from the side of the basketball court at the Wilson Recreation Center Oct. 21. The student said he left his belongings on the court between 4 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. while playing basketball. The wallet and its contents are valued at $150.
Crime briefs are compiled from Duke University Police Department reports. Anyone with knowledge about those responsible for these or other crimes at the University can contact Lt. Davis Trimmer at 684-4713 or Durham CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.
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