Alleged Rape Attempt Spurs Notices at Pierce

In the wake of an alleged attempted rape last week at Pierce College, campus police on Monday posted fliers with suggestions on how to prevent the crime.

Campus police said they arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with Friday morning’s alleged attack.

By Monday morning, Pierce students seemed relatively unaware of the incident, according to Capt. Ken Renolds, of the campus police. “We haven’t had a lot of calls yet,” he said.

The incident occurred when the man allegedly approached a 19-year-old woman on the ground-floor level of the library. According to authorities, he began talking with her, then pulled her into the men’s restroom.

The woman escaped and alerted a bystander.

She told authorities that the man had introduced himself to her recently, but the two were not acquaintances. The man turned himself in to police later in the day.

Monday morning, police printed fliers to be posted around campus on how to prevent falling victim to sexual attacks. They include:

* Use the buddy system--never walk alone.

* If alone, stay alert and use the well-traveled and well-lighted parts of campus.

* Be prepared to drop books and run toward groups of people.

* Report any attempted assaults to campus police using the 311 system.

The man was booked Friday at the LAPD Van Nuys Division on suspicion of attempted rape, authorities said. He posted $50,000 bail and was released pending arraignment.

Pierce College has not had a reported sexual attack in at least two years, Renolds said.