CONTACT: Sgt. Michael Lowry, Public Information Officer
303-492-7411 / Michael.Lowry@colorado.edu
Editor’s Note: This release was edited on July 27, 2017 to comply with an Order to Seal. Because of this, the name and the physical description of the suspect have been redacted.
The University of Colorado Boulder Police Department has arrested the suspect responsible for a series of attempted fondling and harassment incidents recently near the Euclid Avenue AutoPark at 18th Street and Euclid Avenue. Officers arrested name redacted, of Boulder, at 5:30 a.m. today at the Rodeway Inn & Suites Boulder Broker, where he was staying. Name redacted was arrested without incident and booked into Boulder County Jail on one count of Criminal Attempt Unlawful Sexual Contact, 18-3-404, a class 1 misdemeanor and Harassment, CRS 18-9-111, a class 3 misdemeanor. Name and date of birth redacted is a physical description redacted. Name redacted has never been a student at the University of Colorado Boulder or otherwise been affiliated with the campus.
Police Chief Melissa Zak praised the quick work of detectives and tips provided by members of the community that led to the arrest.
“The students came forward with information that allowed this case to be solved quickly,” Zak said. “It’s on all of us – every member of this community – to be effective bystanders and prevent sex offenses. When someone is preying on members of our community, the Police Department will use every resource we have to stop that criminal activity.”
On Dec. 8, several female students reported to CUPD that they were approached by a man who made sexually inappropriate comments. One of the students said the suspect followed her and attempted to fondle her breast. On Dec. 9, the Police Department issued a campus-wide Safety Advisory email and a press release to warn the community. Local media and CUPD social media channels also spread the message with a composite drawing of the suspect. The exposure resulted in numerous students contacting the Police Department. Several female students reported being harassed by an individual matching the suspect’s description. Male students also reported to police that they witnessed female students conversing with the suspect.
Click here to read the Dec. 9 Safety Advisory.