Georgia Tech police said the man suspected of committing sexual battery against a female student on campus early Monday evening is believed to be the perpetrator of another incident that occurred minutes earlier.
A new surveillance photo of the suspect and his truck was released by the university Tuesday night.
School officials sent out a safety alert Monday evening on the first reported incident, which occurred behind Brittain Dining Hall near Williams Street NW around 5:45 p.m. On Tuesday, officials said a second woman called police after the initial alert.
“After we sent out the first safety alert last night, a victim came forward saying she had a similar incident of somebody grabbing her,” Georgia Tech spokesman Matt Nagel said.
The woman told police that she was walking up some stairs off Techwood Drive just north of Bobby Dodd Way. The suspect was walking down the stairs, then acted like he was falling into her, grabbing her in the process.
Though the man did not grab her in the same way as described by the first victim – she said the man approached her from behind, reached under her skirt and touched her – both incidents are considered sexual battery.
The second reported incident occurred about 5:38 p.m., according to updated information sent by university officials Tuesday night. The locations are just a few blocks apart.
The suspect in both incidents has been described white man between 40 and 45 years old, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, wearing a tan or gray button-down shirt or jacket, a white T-shirt and camouflage pants.
“Georgia Tech police do believe that it’s the same suspect,” Nagel said.
The suspect was driving a red 1990-1992 Nissan D21 truck with a black toolbox in the back and after-market wheels, officials said Tuesday.
Officials are encouraging those on campus after dark to take safety precautions to minimize risk, such as walking in well-lit areas and being aware of their surroundings.
“Both victims were walking alone, so we are asking folks to try to walk in groups,” Nagel said.
Anyone with information on this or any other criminal incidents is asked to contact the Georgia Tech Police Department at 404-894-2500 or crimetips@police.gatech.edu.
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