Attempted Abduction Off-Campus - Update

Dec. 8, 2023
The following is updated information as shared by the Tucson Police Department:

After releasing details of the attempted abduction from last night, a second victim contacted police and reported a similar incident that happened on Wednesday. Detectives from the Tucson Police Department’s Adult Sexual Assault Unit contacted the victim and learned that at approximately 11:00 a.m., the second victim was followed by the suspect near N. Campbell Ave. and E. 3rd Street. The victim was able to provide investigators with an updated description of the suspect and the vehicle he was driving. Investigators from TPD and the University of Arizona Police Department are actively pursuing leads in the case and are urging the public to report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1 immediately. The updated suspect and vehicle description is listed below. 

 

Updated Suspect Description 

- Possible Hispanic male with a dark complexion 

-5’10” – 6’ tall, medium to heavyset build with close buzz cut hair 

-Vehicle: dark purplish four-door hatchback or crossover vehicle with a dented front bumper, tinted windows, and no front license plate

 

 

Please note this message may contain information that some may find upsetting. 

 University of Arizona Police Department Crime Alert  
(Clery Timely Warning) 

 

Type of Offense:  Attempted Abduction Off-Campus
Today’s Date:  December 8th, 2023 
Date and Time of Occurrence:  December 7, 2023, 8:00 PM (approximate time) 
Location:  Off Campus – 8th Street / Mountain Avenue, Tucson Arizona 85719  
Reporting Agency: Tucson Police Department / CASE # P2312070227 

Synopsis of Crime or Offense:  According to the Tucson Police Department, shortly after 8:00 PM, an adult female student was walking west on 8th Street from Mountain Avenue (two blocks south of the campus) when she noticed a car following her. The car stopped, and an unknown male grabbed the victim from behind. The victim dropped to the ground and started screaming. The suspect released the victim and ran to his vehicle before driving away. The victim then ran home to her off-campus residence where she called 9-1-1. 

Injuries: There were no reported injuries. 

Suspect Description: The victim described the suspect as an adult male, heavyset build, 5’10”-5’11” wearing an orange fleece hoodie. Vehicle: dark blue/purple four-door vehicle (possibly a Toyota Prius) with tinted windows and dents along the front. 

Status: Tucson Police Department is the primary investigating agency, and the University of Arizona Police Department will assist in this investigation.

As the investigation progresses, TPD detectives are working in conjunction with the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD). TPD is actively searching for the suspect and anyone with information or surveillance video of the area is asked to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME (520-882-7463). You can remain anonymous.
 

UAPD would like to remind the campus community about the following safety tips:

  • Maintain awareness of your surroundings 
  • Avoid walking alone especially during dark hours 
  • Utilize options for transportation such as ASUA Safe Ride, Uber, Lyft, Taxi services 
  • For additional safety tips please visit uapd.arizona.edu and safety.arizona.edu 

Visit the UAPD Victim Resources page to learn more about available support and resources. 

About this notice: 

University of Arizona Clery Timely Warnings are released by the University of Arizona Police Department in compliance with federal law when certain crimes are reported on or near campus property. These timely warnings provide information about campus safety and allow campus community members to take precautions. The reported information may not have been investigated or confirmed at the time of the issuance of the warning. 

Physical descriptions of a suspect, including race, are included in timely warnings only when they provide several details that might help distinguish the suspect’s appearance from the general population. 

A Timely Warning is not the same as a UAlert. A UAlert is an emergency notification for situations involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees.  

Emergency: 911 • Non-Emergency: 520-621-8273 (UAPD) • Tips: 520-88-CRIME (2-7463) • UAPD.arizona.edu