UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Police are continuing their vigorous investigation of the kidnapping reported to have occurred Jan. 25 on the University Park campus.
"We have devoted all available resources to finding the suspects," said Tyrone Parham, chief of police at University Park. "We also ask that anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to please contact us as soon as possible."Police are checking to see if any surveillance video footage may have captured anything that will help in the investigation. In addition, they have increased uniformed patrols on campus at night."We also have added additional auxiliary officers and escort staffing through the weekend, and urge people to call upon these resources rather than walk alone at night," Parham said.To request an escort through the University's Safe Walk service, call 814-865-WALK (9255). For a night map of the University Park campus, which shows locations of buildings that are staffed 24/7, as well as the locations of "blue light" emergency phones that connect directly with the Penn State police, visit http://www.police.psu.edu/up-police/services/upload/2014-Night-Map-V12.pdf online.Anyone with information that might be helpful in this investigation should contact Penn State University Police at 814-863-1111; at 26 Eisenhower Parking Deck, University Park; or anonymously at http://www.police.psu.edu by clicking on “Report a Crime.”The kidnapping was reported to have occurred at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, on Shortlidge Road near Simmons Hall in the south central portion of campus. The incident was reported to authorities on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 28.The suspects, who were not known to the victim, are described as college aged, white males of average height and weight, wearing dark, hooded sweatshirts and scarves covering their faces.The victim, a student, reported that a dark colored sedan traveling south on Shortlidge Road stopped and a white male exited the vehicle, grabbed her off the sidewalk and forced her into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled south on Shortlidge Road to College Avenue. The vehicle continued off campus to an unknown location where the victim was forced out of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle attempted to indecently assault the victim, but the victim was able to escape on foot.Police urge members of the campus community to:-- Use the buddy system and walk with a friend or use the Safe Walk Service at 814-865-WALK (9255)-- Report suspicious persons and activity immediately to 911 or 814-863-1111-- Be aware of your surroundings and seek help if you feel endangeredSubmit tips to Centre County Crimestoppers via email at tip@centrecountycrimestoppers.org. Those providing information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of as much as $1,000 from Centre County CrimeStoppers.