Intruder injures 3 in campus office

University Relations staffers had a shock Tuesday morning when an intruder was found inside one of their offices on the fourth floor of Gerberding Hall shortly before 8 a.m.. According to UW Police Chief Vicky Peltzer, The man was confronted by two staff members, whom he then attacked. Three staffers were injured in the ensuing struggle, none seriously. The man escaped with the purse of one of his victims.

As University Week went to press on Tuesday, the police investigation was continuing.

Peltzer emphasized that University employees should not hesitate to call the police - by dialing 9-911 - whenever they see someone in their building who doesn’t seem to belong there. “But,” she added, “you should be cautious about confronting an intruder. Think of your safety first.”

Fortunately, such personal injury situations are rare on the campus, Peltzer said. More often, intruders are interested in money and other possessions, which should be kept locked up whenever possible.

Following the incident, the police were conducting a safety inspection of Gerberding.

“This is something any department can request,” Peltzer explained. “Our crime prevention specialist, Frazer Kennedy (543-9338), will look at the space and make recommendations about how to improve safety.”

The intruder was described as a black male about 40, between 5’10” and 6’ tall with a husky build.

When last seen he was wearing a dark blue nylon running suit and a black knit cap. ¶