Two female residents found a man hiding in the closet of their dorm room at Phillipi Hall, last Thursday. The two women entered their room around noon and discovered the man hiding.
The intruder, who is described as 5’10 to 5’11, 160 pounds with dark blonde or brown hair, abruptly left the room when the women discovered him. According to Det. Sgt. Ron Saindon, the intruder, was wearing gray sweat pants, green rubber boots, an old t-shirt and coat. He is not believed to be a student.The students described the intruder as “ratty looking.”
The USM Police Department is currently investigating leads in the case and is reminding students to report incidents of this nature immediately.
Phillipi Hall is the newest edition to the Gorham campus; therefore, it is assumed to have the highest security, leaving the question of how the intruder got in.
On Sunday Jan. 20, at 3:42 a.m. two women went into the USM Police Department concerned about a drunk male who had been visiting the campus. They said they saw him go back into the building behind a group of people.
The women thought he was “a little sketchy” and were concerned for their safety.
When USM police spoke to the man, he was identified as Gary L. French.
Although no harm was done to any students, French was served a criminal trespass notice, barring him from returning to campus.
Saindon said French should be an example to students for why they need to be cautious of strangers they allow into the buildings and of those that follow in behind them.
It is not known if Thursday afternoon’s intruder is French.
Although USM police officials are not sure how the intruder got into Phillipi Hall, they urge residents of any residence hall to never prop doors or disable door locks, to lock all doors when leaving dorm rooms and to report any intrusion immediately.
Most importantly, they urge students to report anyone who is acting or behaving suspiciously.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Sgt.Saindon at 780-5211.
Staff writer Aimee Risteen can be contacted at: [email protected]