This is an update:
A suspect has been identified in the previously reported brandishing which occurred on August 30 in the 600 block of Sophia St. The suspect is a 16-year-old juvenile male who resides in Stafford County, and juvenile petitions have been obtained charging the suspect with brandishing a weapon.
The UMW student victim has been notified by detectives of this update.
Natatia L. Bledsoe
Public Information Officer
Fredericksburg Police Department
Crime Alert from the UMW Police Department–
Crime Alerts are issued to inform the UMW Campus of any situation that poses
a potential threat to the safety of students, facility, staff, and visitors of the campus.
Off-Campus
On Monday, August 30, 2010 just before 9 p.m. a UMW student notified Fredericksburg Police about an attempted abduction and the brandishing of a firearm.
The UMW student was jogging in the area of William and Sophia streets when she realized that a male subject was following her on a bicycle. The UMW student stated she continued down William and turned right onto Sophia Street. Near the intersection of Sophia and Charlotte streets, the male subject attempted to engage her in conversation. The suspect asked her if she knew where Bragg Hill is located. The UMW student answered “no” and told him to go to the coffee shop at William and Caroline to get directions. The suspect then pulled a black drawstring bag off his back and withdrew a handgun.
The UMW student immediately ran up Charlotte Street toward the Marriott, shouting “he has a gun.” Several males near the Visitor’s Center attempted to chase the suspect on foot, but the suspect was last seen heading quickly on his bicycle toward the Chatham Bridge. Other witnesses stated that they saw the suspect pull a white T-shirt over top of his white sleeveless tank style shirt; he was also reported to be wearing black pants. The victim described the suspect as a black male in his late teens with short cropped hair.
Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Police were also unable to locate the good Samaritans who gave chase.
The Fredericksburg Police Department is investigating this incident. Please call the Fredericksburg Police at 911 if you have any information related to this offense or any suspected criminal activity.
UMW community members are urged to continue good crime prevention practices to include the following:
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings while traveling on or off campus.
• Travel in well lit areas whenever possible, on or off campus.
• Do not walk alone.
• Immediately report any conduct of a suspicious or unusual nature to police.
The UMW Police Department may be reached 24 hours a day, every day of the
year at 540/654-1025. The UMW Police may also be reached by calling 4444, using an on- campus phone. UMW Police maintain direct radio and phone contact with the Fredericksburg Police, 24 hours a day.
Notification from the Fredericksburg Police Department about this incident was received at 3:17 p.m. today.
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