Gainesville Police officers are looking for a man who reportedly made sexual advances to two people Monday night on a street a few blocks from UF’s campus.
At about 8 p.m., a caller reported to police that a man masturbated in front of her and a friend in the 100 block of Northwest 10th Street. The man tried to approach them, but the caller kicked the suspect and ran away with her friend.
Police are investigating the case as an attempted sexual battery.
The suspect had run away by the time officers arrived, according to police. He was described as a 150-pound black male at 25 years of age with a square face and close-shaven haircut.
He was last seen wearing a black jacket with gray sweatpants, according to police.
A UF Alert was sent at about 10:15 p.m. warning students and faculty of the incident. The alert advised students to stay in well-lit areas, walk on the side of the street facing traffic and avoid hitchhiking.
It also suggested students use Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol for nighttime transportation and that they notify others of their whereabouts.
Anyone with information that could help identify the suspect is encouraged to call 352-955-1818 or to text GPDFL plus a tip to 274637.
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 11/19/2013 under the headline "UF warns about sexual battery"
