People on campus are being asked to be on alert after a suspect accosted a student in Parking Lot B last Thursday night.

The student, who was at her car at around 9:50 p.m. on Oct. 26, was approached by the suspect and was asked for money. After she commented that she could not understand him, the suspect pulled a knife on her and said, "he could cut her with the knife."

The victim questioned the suspect who became scared, and told the suspect "never mind," fleeing towards parking lot C, reports say.

The suspect was described as 5'6" or 5'7", between the age of 50 and 60, and weighing approximately 180 pounds, according to the e-mail that was distributed to ARC staff.

The e-mail distributed to staff from the president's office also said that the suspect spoke with a Russian accent, had white hair, blue eyes, scruffy facial hair, and was wearing a baseball cap, a gray polo shirt, and dark colored zipped jacket and tan cargo shorts.

According to Stephen Peithman,

public information officer for American River College, an e-mail went out to staff earlier this week concerning the incident. Due to the time it takes for the flyers to be produced, he indicated, this allows professors to alert students of the incident ahead of the flyers being posted.

The attempted robbery has caused college police to increase its presence on campus.

"We do have additional patrols," said Capt. Chris Day, who is head of the ARC's college police. "The officers have the description of the person we are looking for."

Capt. Day also said flyers currently are being distributed and posted around campus to alert the student populace of the incident.

"We've had 500 flyers made, and we've posted them around campus," Capt. Day said, indicating that flyers will also be available to students at the Student Activities window in the Student Services Building and at business services at the Administration Building.

Capt. Day also pointed out that keeping safe on campus involves being aware of what is going on around you, and of who is around you.

"A student should be ready when they go to their car and have their keys ready," he said. "Go with your gut instinct if things do not look right. A lot of it is just being aware of your situation and surroundings."

Capt. Day also recommended traveling in groups late at night, also indicating that LRPD offers a shuttle service for night students to get to their cars. The shuttle service is free to all students and faculty, and operates Monday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For more information on it, call 484-8591. He also urged students to communicate with LRPD if they see anything suspicious.

"What always helps is if the public reports anything that looks suspicious or if they see the suspect," he said.

Students are asked to report all suspicious activity to campus police at 484-8591, or to use one of the emergency phones located around campus.