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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 2/9/2010
SUBJECT: Police investigate similar Suspicious Male incidents
BY: Officer Brad Wick, Information Coordinator
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Suspicious Male
CASE NO.: 10221687 XR 10216420
INCIDENT DATE: 2/7/2010
INCIDENT TIME: 2239 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: 19th Avenue East and Fourth Street
SUBJECT: Police investigate similar Suspicious Male incidents
BY: Officer Brad Wick, Information Coordinator
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Suspicious Male
CASE NO.: 10221687 XR 10216420
INCIDENT DATE: 2/7/2010
INCIDENT TIME: 2239 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: 19th Avenue East and Fourth Street
The Duluth Police Department is investigating two recent incidents where an unknown male came up to females and grabbed them. It is unclear if the incidents are related and police are investigating.
On Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 12:59 PM, Duluth Police were called to Marshall School on the report that twenty minutes earlier a teenage female was approached by an unknown male at the rear of the building. The male grabbed the female but she was able to break free and ran back into the building. The male was described as a white male, 6 feet tall, and 40-50 years old with a long grey beard. He was wearing a dark colored knee length coat, black winter cap, and ragged blue jeans. Responding officers searched the area but were unable to locate anyone matching the suspect’s description.
The second incident happened this past Sunday, February 7th, 2010 in the area of 19th Avenue East and Fourth Street. At 10:39 PM, two female college students reported that they were walking when an unknown male approached them and grabbed onto one of them by the jacket. The male ran off when one of the females screamed. The male suspect was described as a white male wearing all black and a ski mask. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.
In both incidents, the victims were not assaulted or robbed, no weapons were seen, and no threats were made. In both incidents, the male suspect did not say anything.
Both incidents are currently under investigation by the Duluth Police Department. Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call 218-730-5050.
Police want to remind citizens of some personal safety practices:
- You are safest in bright, well lit and busy areas
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Never take short cuts at night. Stick to well-lit main routes
- Stay with friends whenever possible and don't walk home alone
- Try to look and act confidently – look like you know where you are going and walk tall
- Carry a cell phone
- Wear bright clothing
- Carry minimal valuables and don't show them off.
- If someone tries to take something from you, it is better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury
- Do not listen to a personal stereo when out walking or jogging – you need to stay alert to your surroundings
- Don't walk and talk on the phone or text. You're likely to be distracted
- If you think you are being followed - Cross over the road. If you are followed, cross back again. If you are still concerned, go to the nearest public place, business, or house with lights on and call 911.