At 12:36 p.m., an individual was identified as having “inappropriately grabbed” a student following a campus security investigation, according to a text message sent to students.
This update came after a campus-wide dispatch to students at 1:34 a.m. said there was a “sexual assault reported near Bonney Science. Avoid the area. Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Updates will follow.”
According to the college, after the text explosion, “Campus Security and the Lewiston Police Department began a search near the Boone Science Center on the west side of the Bates campus.”
Students received a second update at 4:02 a.m. that said Campus Safety and Lewiston Police were unable to identify the subject. The message asked students to be vigilant.
The situation was resolved about 12 hours after the initial text message at 12:36 p.m. with campus security reporting that the individual had been identified and that “there is no threat [the] community.”
They also explained that the situation involved the inappropriate handling of a student by an individual. It is not clear if this person was a member of the Bates Society.
According to the statement given by the college Student“Improper kidnapping falls under the scope of sexual violence The Clare ActThus, a timely warning was sent to the public.”
The college added that “after investigation and identification, we have determined that the Bates community is not at risk from this incident.”
The college does not believe this morning’s incident was related to previous incidents where students were notified of the man’s arrest. indecent exposure on campus.