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Police on lookout for assault suspect

Photo courtesy: Terry Stewart

An artist’s rendering of the suspect.

An SRJC employee fought off an attempted sexual assault after a long, violent struggle in Burbank Auditorium Nov. 10. Police are still looking for the assailant.

While students were enjoying the day with no classes, an SRJC theater arts department employee was working in her office in the back of Burbank Auditorium. Around 10:45 a.m., someone knocked on her office door and she opened it. A man covered his face with his shirt and attempted to sexually assault the woman. After a long intense struggle in her office, the attacker finally fled after the victim began screaming.

“She said it was the screaming that got him to leave,” said Leslie Mc- Cauley, friend of the victim and chair of the Theater Arts Department. The victim immediately contacted SRJC police and reported the attack. Sergeant Don Silverek was first on the scene.

“I went into the building and was shown to the scene of the crime. I saw she needed immediate attention and called for an ambulance,” Silverek said.

Santa Rosa Police Department joined SRJC police and a crime scene team for the investigation. Police closed Burbank Auditorium for the afternoon as they conducted their investigation. The victim was taken to the hospital and released in the afternoon.

“She is doing well. But very stiff and bruised,” McCauley said. “Her sense of humor is still intact.”

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-6, mediumbuild with short brown hair. At the time of the attack, the man was wearing a sleeveless white T-shirt, dark pants and black gloves. It is unknown whether the attack was planned against the victim, or if it was random. It is unknown whether the attacker was a JC student, police said.

“The weird thing about it is that it was during normal business hours. There were people here [in Burbank Auditorium],” McCauley said.

Burbank Auditorium is a labyrinth of corridors, with small offices tucked into narrow hallways that wrap around the main auditorium. The office where the attack occurred is in an isolated area in the back of the auditorium.

McCauley, who has worked at SRJC full time since 1997, said this is the second of two attacks that she knew of that has occurred on campus in the last 20 years.

On Nov. 10, SRJC President Dr.Robert Agrella sent out an e-mail alert to faculty and staff about the attack and added “as the District Police continue to provide security services, I request that all SRJC employees and students use caution, including being aware of your surroundings in and around all campus facilities.” Students of the theater department say they still feel safe at school, despite the attack.

“It’s terrible that it happened, but you just gotta continue with what you’re doing,” said Alex Ward.

“It’s kinda freaky that it happened in the department that I frequent. It is evident that people will be taking precautions,” said Rosie Frater, who came to work on the set of the upcoming play “The Wizard of Oz” Tuesday morning, only to find Burbank Auditorium closed for the investigation. On Nov. 11, police released a composite sketch of what the suspect may look like. SRJC police have followed many leads, but have no suspects yet.

“We have received dozens of tips and we are interviewing and talking to each and everyone of them,” Silverek said.

Within 30 minutes of the crime, Silverek stopped a suspect who resembled the attacker. The man was questioned and then released. The Theater Arts Department is organizing meetings with representatives from the police department to work on increasing security.

“Campus security is ongoing for us,” Silverek said. “People don’t usually refocus on it until a incident occurs, but we don’t stop.” Detective Bill Stinson regularly does presentations on campus security for different departments.

“Crime is everywhere; once in a while it is going to spill over onto our campus,” Silverek said, who urges students and faculty to use common sense and situational awareness to keep themselves safe.

“Going someplace with two or more people is always highly desirable. Avoid walking alone at night, especially where people could jump out at you. And, there is nothing wrong with carrying pepper spray,” he said.

The victim returned to work Nov. 12. “Her advice was to keep moving, and scream,” McCauley said.

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