From: Virginia Tech Police Department, Carilion Clinic Police

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Carilion Clinic Police received a report of a stalking incident that occurred on Sept. 27 and Oct. 9 respectively in the area of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. The incident involved a Virginia Tech Carilion student. The student and suspect are not acquaintances.

  • On Sept. 27, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a student was on the Roanoke Valley Greenway when she was approached by an unknown male who proceeded to chase her. The suspect attempted to grab the woman, but she was able to outrun the male and seek assistance. The suspect kept running on the trail.
  • On Wednesday, Oct. 9, at approximately 12:35 p.m., the same female was jogging on Reserve Avenue near Riverside Circle. The same male suspect got out of a vehicle, began running to catch up with the woman and was yelling at her. The woman was able to outrun the suspect and entered the Riverside 2 parking garage. The suspect stopped chasing the female and left the area on foot.

The suspect was described as a black male in his mid-40s wearing a blue sleeveless shirt, dark shorts, running shoes and a ball cap. On Oct. 9, the suspect reportedly exited a white SUV crossover style vehicle.

This information is being released in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, commonly known as the Clery Act.  The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses, including timely warnings of crimes that may represent a serious or ongoing threat to the safety of students or employees.

Collectively, the Virginia Tech Police, Carilion Clinic Police, and Roanoke Police would like to remind all community members of the following:

Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. 

  • Limit distracting activities like utilizing smart phone while walking.
  • Travel in groups whenever possible.  If not, make someone aware of where you are going.
  • Call the Carilion Clinic Police and/or Roanoke City Police Department immediately to report all suspicious people and circumstances.
  • Be cautious in confronting suspicious persons.
  • The Roanoke Police Department is offering a Women’s Safety Clinic on Nov. 4 and Dec. 16.  Information can be found at https://allevents.in/roanoke/womens-safety-clinic-level-1/200017787048822#.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Roanoke Police Department (RPD) at (540) 344-8500 or the Carilion Police Department at (540) 981-7911 and share what you know. You can also text RPD at 274637; please begin the text with "RoanokePD" to ensure it is properly sent. Calls to (540) 344-8500 and texts can remain anonymous.  

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