RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — According to the Department of Public Safety for Arkansas Tech University, on Sunday, Dec. 1, they were alerted of a video, posted by a student on social media, of an incident that occurred off-campus.
A man on a bike approached a female student as she was walking to a friend’s apartment. He knocked on the door of the apartment after she entered and asked to speak with her. The resident of the apartment, a friend of the female student, did not open the door and asked him to leave. He tried to speak with her and left after he saw another male in the apartment with the two females.
The female student in the apartment filmed the subject leaving and talking to two other male subjects in a white van. This incident occurred in the 600 block of West K Street around 8 p.m.
Russellville Police responded to a call at 7:08 p.m. where a male subject on a bike knocked on the several doors at an apartment complex on West J Street.
The male subject in the incident on West J Street and West K Street are believed to be the same subject. The male subject was described as a male, wearing a red hoodie, clean-shaven, had a gold front tooth and called himself “Six.” He was seen by witnesses riding a bike.
This post has gotten thousands of shares and the poster feared the incident was a sex trafficking scare.
Russellville Police said initial reports don’t imply sex trafficking, but they’re working to see if the man on the bike was linked to the van.
At this time, it is unknown if the van or other male subjects were involved in either incident.
Students said they just want to feel safe.
“I keep pepper spray on me personally, because I’m smaller,” Cynsere Ryan said.
"When you go to class go straight back home, and things like that. I don't want anybody out late at night," senior Timothy Trimble said.
Although this happened off-campus, Arkansas Tech shared the info. to help protect their community.
“This one was not in that kind of very serious, immediate threat category but it was more of an informational item to provide students and faculty and staff so that they could be on the lookout,” Director of University Relations Sam Strasner said.
Russellville Police are actively investigating this incident. They believe they know who the man in the video is but they haven’t yet released his identity.
Anyone with information pertaining to this crime can contact the Department of Public Safety by dialing (479) 968-0222 or by calling 911.
The Department of Public Safety provides a 24/7 safety escort service for anyone who feels unsafe on campus. Please be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.