University Police officials are on the lookout for a middle-aged black male in a wheelchair, who witnesses claim trespassed on University property and near residences in the 14th Street area and made inappropriate comments and gestures directed toward female students.
The most recent alleged incident involving the man occurred when a female third-year College student said she saw someone matching the description at 7:15 a.m. yesterday at the intersection of Gordon Avenue and 17th Street.
"He was in a wheelchair, wearing a denim jacket with bright colors," said the student, who wished to remain anonymous. "We made eye contact when I walked outside and he started wheeling over. I had received e-mails about him and felt very uncomfortable. I jumped in my car and drove off."
The concerned student contacted Charlottesville Police officials shortly after encountering the man.
The police "informed me that they did not yet have a warrant for his arrest, but to contact them if I saw him again," she said.
Two additional reports involving the man have been filed with University Police officials, Lt. Melissa Fielding said. A female University student filed the most recent report Sunday after a run-in with the man at Alderman Library, she said.
"He was speaking inappropriately with a female student at Alderman Library," Fielding said. When the student refused to respond to his advances, the man uttered "some very inappropriate things."
The police issued him a trespass warning because of his inappropriate behavior and told the man he would be arrested for trespassing if he returned.
The second report documented with University Police relates to a Nov. 9 incident. Someone matching the man's description entered Madison House through a door that had been mistakenly left unlocked, Fielding said. The man was alone in the building at the time and remained there until someone arrived later in the day. After being spotted, he quickly left, Fielding said.
Later that day, second-year Engineering student Ali Lauzon said she saw a similar-looking man outside her unit at Beta Bridge Apartments near 17th Street.
"I asked him if he was lost and needed help," Lauzon said. "He said, 'I don't know where I am,' and then proceeded to ask bizarre questions."
Lauzon said the man inquired about the price of her apartment and then asked to use her bathroom. She declined to provide access to her apartment but directed him to a nearby church with facilities he could use. She then locked her door and went to her sorority house, Delta Delta Delta. After telling her friends about the man, one of them noted that a similar-looking man had followed her home earlier that day on her way back from class.
Lauzon then called Charlottesville Police officials, who found the man still lingering outside Beta Apartments. Though officers did not issue him a warning for trespassing, they asked him to leave the premises and requested that Lauzon contact the police should she see him again.
Fourth-year College student Danielle Donovan later reported an altercation with a similar-looking man on University Way that same day.
The man "wheeled really close to me and gave me a scary, sexual and violent look and said, 'Hey baby, where you goin'?'" Donovan said. She said she never contacted police officials because the incident occurred before she received any e-mails about the mysterious man.
Charlottesville Police officials declined to comment about the incidents.
Lauzon said she has not received an e-mail from University Police officials about the incidents but has heard through multiple e-mail list-servs about other students' contact with the man.
"I'm really surprised the school has not done more to inform everyone about this man," second-year College student Sarah Welsh said. "All the students know is what they see in their inbox."
Despite students' efforts to warn each other about alleged run-ins with the man in the wheelchair, Fielding expressed concern that e-mails sent through list-servs might start false and unhelpful rumors.
"There have been a number of e-mails circulating with unverified knowledge," Fielding said. "These e-mails create fear often without accurate information."
Fielding advised students to call University Police officials at (434) 924-7166 if they witness any suspicious behavior.
"The police can't take action unless these incidents are reported," she said, adding that students should walk in well-lit areas and remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
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