Student reports Bull Street incident Friday
Police announced Friday evening they are looking for a man they say exposed himself to a student on campus early that morning.
A Crime Alert posted at about 7:30 p.m. Friday said the man, described as an overweight and “possibly Hispanic” man with dark hair, showed a female student his genitals and was masturbating at about 12:30 a.m. Friday on the 700 block of Bull Street.
That block is in the heart of campus, near the Bull Street Garage, Russell House and a number of female-only residence halls, including Patterson Hall, South Tower and the Women’s Quad.
He was in a dark blue Chevrolet Trailblazer, parked at a meter along the street, the alert said. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt.
Other information about the suspect, including his age and height, were unknown.
The police report about the incident had not been released by press time Sunday, but Capt. Eric Grabski, a spokesman for the Division of Law Enforcement and Safety, said it was expected to be ready by Monday.
The incident follows a string of indecent exposure cases in Columbia’s Shandon neighborhood in December 2011 and January 2012 and another earlier this month near Owens Field.
It is unclear if this case is connected with the earlier ones, Grabski said, but police will likely consider such a link as the investigation continues.
“I’m sure that’s something we’ll be looking at,” Grabksi said.
Police are accepting tips via Crimestoppers.
To send in a tip anonymously:
Call 1-888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).
Visit midlandscrimestoppers.com.
Text CRIMES (274637) and begin your messages with “TIPSC”