On Feb. 4, a female student was a victim of battery one block west of the California Lutheran University campus.

According to an email from Campus Safety, a female student was running on Olsen Road at approximately 7:40 p.m. when an unknown man reached out and grabbed her as she ran by. The student was able to break away and returned to campus where she notified Campus Safety.

Director of Campus Safety Fred Miller said this is the first incident Cal Lutheran has had involving a student, but there might have been incidents where it has happened and hasn’t been reported by faculty, staff or students.

“If you sense something is not right, then go with your senses. If it doesn’t feel right it’s probably not right,” Miller said.

Miller said many students carry self-protecting products to keep themselves safe.

“There are self-protecting things out there that people can carry. One of the things you’re allowed to carry in California is pepper spray,” Miller said.

An email from President Chris Kimball and Melinda Roper, interim vice president of  Student Affairs and dean of students said, “The victim of unlawful physical contact is recovering and was physically unharmed in the incident. The Thousand Oaks Police Department was involved and is on alert for the assailant.”

Captain Mike Hartmann of the Thousand Oaks Police Department said they followed up the call from Campus Safety and looked for the suspect.

“We’re comfortable saying that there is no predator on the loose,” Hartmann said.

According to the email from Campus Safety, the suspect was described to be an unknown male, Caucasian, early-to-mid-20s, 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing a black beanie, white T-shirt and blue jeans.

If you see or hear anything related to this incident on campus or around the Thousand Oaks area, contact Campus Safety at 805-493-3911 immediately. You can also contact the Thousand Oaks Police by calling 911.

Rikke Bovre
News Editor
Published February 11, 2015