Ball State University police will increase patrol, starting tonight, after an attempted student abduction Thursday night at the Scheumann Stadium bus stop, Director of Public Safety Gene Burton said.
The female student was waiting at the bus stop when a man in a white van pulled up and directed her to get into the van, Burton said. When she refused, he got out, walked toward her and told her again to get into the van, Burton said.
At that time, a group of male students approached the bus stop and the man got back in the van and drove away, Burton said. The man never grabbed the female student, and there was no contact between him and the male students, Burton said.
The man is described as in his early 40s, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and about 175 pounds. He was wearing a red flannel shirt and dirty jeans with holes in the knees, and had brown hair with grey highlights, Burton said.
The van was white, clean, had windows only in the front and had some rust below the drivers side of the vehicle, he said. The student did not get the license plate number, he said.
Burton said abduction attempts such as this are rare, and he did not remember when the last one happened. Police patrols will be increased through the end of the semester, he said.
Students should take care to not walk alone at night, and take precautions when approached by a strange person or vehicle.
"If it's something as simple as asking for directions you can have that conversation from six to eight feet away from the vehicle," Burton said.
He also recommended students use Ball State's escort service, Charlie's Charter, when possible. It is available Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. and can be reached by calling (765) 760-RIDE or (765) 285-5005.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect or van should contact Ball State University Police at (765) 285-1111 or 911.
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