The Department of Public Safety is encouraging freshmen to help keep the residence halls safe after a suspicious man was reported in Tingle Hall around 3 p.m. on Friday.
Officers said the man, who witnesses said was soliciting magazines in the residence halls, most likely entered the Hamilton Complex hall through a door that was propped open.
The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Anthony Roy Neil. Officers arrested the man on fugitive charges.
DPS Deputy Director Carolyn McDermed said Neil had been a wanted fugitive for two and a half years on charges of burglary, theft, vehicle prowling and malicious mischief in the State of Washington.
Anne Jaeger of Portland, the mother of a University freshman who moved into the residence halls on Friday, said she saw Neil trying to sell magazines to residents and asking girls for their phone numbers. She said that one girl almost gave Neil money and another reported being asked for credit card information.
Jaeger said she is disappointed with the lack of immediate action from resident assistants when the incident occurred, and she hopes to see an increase in safety precautions for freshmen.
Students in the residence halls are advised to keep all doors locked and check IDs of any unrecognized individuals before letting them in the building. Students can report any suspicious persons or incidents to DPS at (541) 346-6666.
— Kerri Anderson