By David Sutton
Contributing Writer
On Sunday, January 19th, a female North Central College student realized she was being followed by an unknown male while walking at night from Naperville’s 5th Avenue Metra Station to the college campus and immediately alerted campus security.
After campus officers confronted the suspect, he fled on foot outside of the college’s jurisdiction where he was apprehended by the Naperville Police Department. The suspect was already under a no-trespass order for a 2013 incident and was subsequently charged with criminal trespass and criminal interference.
In the previous incident the same suspect entered the 24-hour computer lab at Carnegie Hall and demanded to see the campus president, which alarmed staff responded by alerting campus security.
The suspect has been described as a white male with brown hair, in his late thirties, and about 5 foot 8 inches in height, and was wearing a large black jacket over a teal jersey and carried a backpack at the time of the incident.
The suspect’s name has not been released but the suspect has posted bond and was released from police custody.
The female student fortunately avoided harm by calling the emergency duty cell phone that is part of North Central College’s emergency protocol.
Director of Campus Safety Jared Bogan spoke during a recent interview on the importance of alerting security whenever a student feels their safety is threatened.
“This situation was resolved with a good outcome because a student was courageous enough to call campus safety and report the incident,” said Bogan. “This is the most important thing.”
Bogan continued by reminding students, “See something, say something.”
In recent years NCC has amped up its security personnel from just two officers prior to February 2012 to a total of seven as of this college term.
“Students’ knowledge is everything,” Bogan responded as to whether an incident like this could happen again. “It’s all about informing the community to be an extra set of eyes and ears. That’s why the campus safety bulletins are so important.”
Bogan also recommended students be familiar with the Assistance Call Boxes on campus, avoid isolated areas, and never travel alone or outside of well-lit areas at night. The number for Campus Safety is 630-637-5911 and dialing 911 is always an option if you feel threatened.
