Spring Break
Suspect identified in sexual assault
Noah Cohen
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: News
Investigators know the identity of a suspect who allegedly raped a female Drexel student in her University-owned apartment Jan. 18, according University officials and Philadelphia Police.
The victim reported the crime after she admitted herself to an area hospital, according to a Jan. 18 statement from Drexel's Office of University Relations.
Authorities have identified the suspect but have not yet made an arrest, according to the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit.
Initial reports from a police source said investigators were working to have the suspect turn himself in to Philadelphia authorities. However, another police official said the investigation was continuing.
University officials urged calm after students witnessed several police cars and a news van around the crime scene Jan. 18.
"We do not believe that this individual [the suspect] is a continued threat to the community," Candace Wannamaker, director of support services at Drexel Public Safety, said.
Wannamaker said the suspect was a guest of the victim and does not live on or near the Drexel campus.
Campus crime logs confirm this.
The attack was not a random crime and there was forced entry to the residence where the attack occurred, according to Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for Public Safety.
As the investigation continues, officials at Drexel are reminding students that services are available for those who are victimized.
"If you are victim of this kind of crime, contact the Office of Support Services," Wannamaker said.
The Office of Support Services in Drexel's Public Safety Department provides counseling and victim support to members of the Drexel community.
The office can be reached via phone at (215) 895-0353.
Editor's note: The specific location of the crime is being withheld out of respect for the victim's privacy.
The victim reported the crime after she admitted herself to an area hospital, according to a Jan. 18 statement from Drexel's Office of University Relations.
Authorities have identified the suspect but have not yet made an arrest, according to the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit.
Initial reports from a police source said investigators were working to have the suspect turn himself in to Philadelphia authorities. However, another police official said the investigation was continuing.
University officials urged calm after students witnessed several police cars and a news van around the crime scene Jan. 18.
"We do not believe that this individual [the suspect] is a continued threat to the community," Candace Wannamaker, director of support services at Drexel Public Safety, said.
Wannamaker said the suspect was a guest of the victim and does not live on or near the Drexel campus.
Campus crime logs confirm this.
The attack was not a random crime and there was forced entry to the residence where the attack occurred, according to Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for Public Safety.
As the investigation continues, officials at Drexel are reminding students that services are available for those who are victimized.
"If you are victim of this kind of crime, contact the Office of Support Services," Wannamaker said.
The Office of Support Services in Drexel's Public Safety Department provides counseling and victim support to members of the Drexel community.
The office can be reached via phone at (215) 895-0353.
Editor's note: The specific location of the crime is being withheld out of respect for the victim's privacy.
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