The State College Police Department saw a spike in incidents over the weekend with the return of Penn State students for the fall semester.
Incidents included many alcohol-related crimes and emergencies as well as more serious crimes, including a report of a sexual assault and a strong arm robbery.
The university’s health services department reported a sexual assault to police Saturday. However, police say the victim only sought health services and did not want authorities to investigate.
Police are also investigating a strong arm robbery that occurred about 2:45 a.m. Monday in the rear of The Legacy apartments at Hetzel Street and East Calder Way.
Police say an unknown man hit a male victim in the face after an argument and stole the victim’s keys and wallet.
Police described the suspect as a college-aged white male, who is roughly 6-feet tall, and was wearing a light blue tank top and khaki pants.
Police are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect. Police are also searching for any witnesses to the assault.
Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the State College Police Department at 814-234-7150 or submit an anonymous tip HERE.
Police are investigating another assault that occurred about 12:45 a.m. Sunday at a CATA bus stop in the 100 block of East Beaver Avenue where an unknown man hit a male victim.
State College police Lt. Chris Fishel says the department saw a significant increase in incidents over the weekend, which he says is expected given the population increased by the thousands with the return of students.
The increase included a significant number of alcohol-related incidents, such as public intoxication, public urination and fake identification.
The department also encountered an unusual incident where a 27-year-old man was found sleeping in the middle of the roadway with his bicycle. A passerby discovered the man about 1:07 a.m. Monday in the 800 block of Brush Valley Road. Police cited the man for public drunkenness and obstructing roadways.
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