No arrests in assault cases

Police chief: Investigations continue

UTRGV’s police chief says investigations are ongoing in two sexual assault and multiple assault-by-contact cases, and no arrests have been made.

“We are looking at the suspects,” Police Chief Adan Cruz said in a Zoom interview last Thursday. “The only deal is that these cases are still open and under investigation. And I don’t want to speak to the things that we have working because I don’t want to hinder the investigations. … So, that’s our position there.”

Cruz also would not reveal the number of suspects, again citing that the investigations are ongoing.

As previously reported by The Rider, at 2:08 p.m. Sept. 17, a student reported having been sexually assaulted in the Heritage Hall dormitory on the Edinburg campus. The victim identified the subject as a current student. UTRGV detectives were able to locate and detain the subject. The victim declined to prosecute but all the physical evidence was recovered and will be processed should the victim choose to prosecute at a later time. The case was referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities for further review. 

Around 3:42 p.m. Sept. 22, the Police Department received a report of a sexual assault in the Heritage Hall dormitory. The victim reported that she was sexually assaulted between 2 and 3 p.m. Aug. 20 while the suspect was visiting her in her dormitory. The suspect is known and has been identified, according to the police administrative report. The suspect is a Hispanic male, 5 feet 8 inches in height, 150 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and a light complexion.

Around 10:11 a.m. Sept. 29, while following up on an assault by contact that was reported at 6:53 p.m. Sept. 28, it was determined that an indecent assault had occurred on Sept. 14 between 2:30 and 3 p.m. on the second floor of the University Library, according to a timely warning notification sent by the Police Department. The victim also reported that at 7 p.m. Sept. 15, while walking on the Bronc Trail (by the dining area), the suspect touched her inappropriately (assault by contact). She found the contact offensive, according to the warning.

It was also determined that the same suspect was involved in two previous assaults by contact: one at 11:42 p.m. Sept. 14 and another at 12:38 a.m. Sept. 15. Both occurred on the first floor of Unity Hall. In both reports, the victims found the contact offensive.

Several services are made available for students and staff to feel safe on campus.  

The Police Department offers Rape Aggression Defense training, which is a self-defense course, Cruz said. It is advertised on the UTRGV Messenger that is emailed to the campus community when the classes become available. 

The community engagement officer and officers also give safety talks, Cruz said. They have given safety talks to the athletics department, to classes and any organization that requests it. 

“The most important thing that I would like to stress is our CampusShield app,” Cruz said. “The CampusShield app is something that is available to everyone. The link is available on our PD website on the internet and it can be downloaded.”

The app also has a FriendWatch feature.

“If your preset timer hits 00:00, your emergency contacts are notified. Friends and family can watch out for each other during potentially dangerous activities,” the University Police web page explains.

A police escort is also available through the CampusShield app for students who may not want to walk alone to their vehicle or to the dorm or anywhere at UTRGV. 

“Remember that our officers are all commissioned officers,” said Amanda Quintanilla, a victim services specialist with the University Police. “Our police officers, they are here 24 hours a day. They do shift work, they are here evenings, weekends, holidays.”  

She said the CampusShield app is a good tool and contains a Safe Walk icon to request a safety escort.

“It’s right at your fingertips,” Quintanilla said. “It’s a good tool to utilize and it is very user-friendly.”

Cruz said members of the campus community can use the app if they are concerned for their safety.

“Because you’re on your own cellphone, you can keep mobile, you’re moving,” Cruz said. “Now, we have the ability to track you and your cellphone once you call in for an emergency. So, the PD will know where you’re at. That’s only activated when you make that emergency call. We’re not tracking everyone 24/7 like Big Brother; that does not happen.”

In an Oct. 1 email, the university notified the campus community about the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The crime logs are available in hard copy at the Police Department’s front desk.

“I know everyone is concerned about the two recent reports that we had, but there is no ongoing threat at this time,” Cruz said. “There is no ongoing threat. So, I just want to make sure that everyone feels safe and secure and that they understand the programs we have in place to improve the safety and security of everyone on the campus. CampusShield being a big part of it. … The more participation we have in people that use this app, the better off we’re going to be.”