Troy Police Looking for Sexual Assault Suspect

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By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: Mar 28, 2012 at 5:43 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 28, 2012 at 6:39 PM CDT

From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom-- Troy Police are offering a $5,000 reward to help find whoever broke into a college student's home and sexually assaulted her.

Troy Police say the incident happened off Highway 231 in Hunter's Mountain Mobile Estates just a couple miles from campus.

Investigators say a Troy University student was sent to the hospital after they say a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her Monday afternoon.

Police are now asking for your help in finding the attacker.

"Six feet, one inches tall and 250 pounds," says Sgt. Benny Scarbrough with Troy Police. "He was wearing dark clothing with a close cut hair. Black male about 40 to 50 years old."

Scarbrough says he has no reason to believe this incident is connected with last year's attack when university student Jordan Middlebrooks was kidnapped from her off-campus home and assaulted.

"I'm not going to say 100 percent no, because there could be a one percent chance they could be somewhat related," he says.

University Dean Herbert Reeves says students shouldn't be afraid, but he is advising them to be extra cautious.

"Keep your door locked. Be vigilant. Make sure if a stranger knocks on your door, make sure you know who you are opening the door to, and if you don't know them, call the police," Reeves says.

Whether it's walking in pairs or signing up for the university's Rape Aggression Defense course, students say they have a safety plan in place, because this incident shouldn't be taken lightly.

"It scares everyone. I mean it was in Troy. It was somebody everyone knew, and it was just like nobody thought it would it happen," says student Jenna Brown.

Reeves says the student was released from the hospital today. He says they are offering counseling to her and her family.

Again, there is a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible. Police say they've asked Governor Bentley to match that, and there is hope the university will contribute.

If you have any information, please call Troy Police at (334) 566-0500.
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