Manhunt continues for suspect in attack at UMaine

ORONO – A manhunt continued Tuesday in and around the University of Maine for a Caucasian man in his mid-20s with gel-spiked dirty blond hair who allegedly tried to abduct a female student on Sunday, said university officials.

“As a result of the attention that has been drawn to this matter, people have called public safety with some helpful information, tips if you will, today,” an official in UMaine spokesman Joe Carr’s office said Tuesday.

So far, the tips have not led to a suspect, he said.

The man authorities are looking for is about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a muscular build and weighs about 190 pounds. The car he was driving is described as a dark blue, four-door sedan the style of a Ford Escort, with a light interior.

The victim, a fourth-year student who works on campus, was walking near the Beta Theta Phi fraternity house around 6 p.m. Sunday when the attacker stopped her in the adjacent parking lot to ask for directions.

The police report states the man forced her into the back seat of his car and assaulted her, slapping her several times. She told authorities she fought back, striking her attacker, and escaped the vehicle.

The woman got a good look at her assailant and provided police with a description, which they used to develop a composite sketch, said Chief Noel March, director of the university’s Department of Public Safety.

Even though the attack took place on Sunday, the report of the incident wasn’t filed until noontime Monday. March said it’s not uncommon for trauma victims to delay reporting incidents.

Personnel at UMaine spent much of Tuesday getting the word out about the attack, telling students and residents about how to avoid similar incidents and providing descriptions of the fugitive to local law enforcement agencies and around campus.

“The major effort today is informing people who are on campus about what has happened to keep them safe,” said Carr.

E-mail, conferencing, electronic and regular bulletin boards and communication Web sites are being used to inform people. The information includes precautions for students arriving for classes that start in two weeks and residents.

“Exercise caution when approached by strangers and remain a safe distance away from vehicles occupied by strangers” are two of the precautions, Carr said.

Walking with a friend or group is suggested, he said, especially at night.

Campus authorities have enlisted the help of police agencies throughout the area in an attempt to capture the man, who they said brazenly attacked the young woman.

“They came up with a composite drawing and details of the attack and we gave it to our officers,” Old Town Police Department Sgt. Scott Casey said.

Casey said Old Town officers are keeping an eye out for anyone who meets the description.

The police composite sketch has been posted on the Bangor Daily News Web site at www.bangornews.com and the UMaine Web site at www.umaine.edu/umainetoday

Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact Orono police at 866-4000, Old Town police at 827-6358, or the UMaine Public Safety Department at 581-4040.