Police are looking for a man accused of creeping into dorms at Bryant University and groping students while they slept.
At least five female students reported a man groping them in their dorms early Saturday morning. Police said the assaults happened over a period of four hours. Erin Daly’s friend was one of the students who contacted police.
"She was sleeping and had a weird feeling that someone was staring at her, so she woke up and saw him," said Daly. "She shoved him away and was like, ‘Who are you? Get out of here.’"
All the assaults happened in the upperclassmen townhouses on campus. Police believe the attacker got in because the doors were unlocked.
Police are using campus surveillance cameras and descriptions from the victims and said they are honing in on a suspect.
The university released this statement:
Over the course of the weekend, we had an incident of deep concern occur in our Town Houses. There is no matter of greater priority than the personal safety of students on campus, and that safety was violated by a yet to be identified individual.
Our Public Safety officers learned of this incident and immediately commenced a full investigation in cooperation in the Smithfield Police Department. We have reached out to all students and asked for their assistance in sharing any information that might be helpful in identifying the individual responsible for what we believe to be five instances of entering unlocked residences and inappropriately touching students while they slept. When the students were awakened and confronted the intruder he left. We are now working diligently, along with the Smithfield Police, to identify and apprehend the perpetrator of this loathsome crime.
As communicated to students over the weekend, we are investigating all leads leading to the apprehension of the perpetrator. There is no place on our campus for violence against individuals. We have given the University’s full support to the victims of this assault and Student Affairs resources are available for all Bryant students who may be troubled by this incident and wish to talk with a member of our professional staff about their concerns.
To ensure their safety, students are reminded to follow standard guidelines for personal safety. Please remember to lock the doors to your townhouses and residential units, be vigilant and wary of campus guests and visitors who you do not know, and immediately report any suspicious activity.
(Copyright (c) 2016 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)