Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — The Utah Tech Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying an alleged “groper” from an incident that occurred on campus Saturday night.
Utah Tech Police Chief Ron Bridge told St. George News the suspect approached a female student on campus and initiated a conversation. The perpetrator is alleged to have inappropriately grabbed and touched the student and then walked northwards towards the center of campus.
The woman got away and reported it to the police, Bridge said, adding that the individual later approached two other women on campus and made them feel “uncomfortable” but did not physically assault them.
Bridge said Utah Tech Police has surveillance footage and images of the individual, which have been released to the public through the campus safety system and to the media. See the photo gallery below.
The individual being sought was described by all three women as a Hispanic male with black hair and having “a very muscular build.”
All three incidents took place between 7 and 9 p.m.
Anyone with information pertinent to the identification of the individual is asked to call the police dispatch at (435) 627-4300.
Photo gallery
Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
Surveillance image of an individual suspected of groping a female student at Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, Sept. 16, 2023 | Image courtesy of Utah Tech University Police, St. George News
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Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.