POSTED: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - 9:14pm
UPDATED: Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 10:17am
Tyler, Texas — NEWS RELEASE FROM UT TYLER SPOKESPERSON:
The University of Texas at Tyler police have arrested 19 year old Dearion Deshon Dews in the assault of a female jogger on Tuesday, July 5 that occurred at the corner of Old Omen Road and Varsity Drive.
Dews was booked into the Smith County Jail this evening on the charge of Attempted Sexual Assault. Dew's bond was set at $100,000 by Judge Randall Rogers.
"A University of Texas at Tyler police officer located an individual near the scene of the crime matching the description given by the victim. Evidence was obtained in relation to the offense, and the suspect subsequently confessed," said Mike Medders, UT Tyler police chief.
The assault occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. July 5 as the victim was jogging on Old Omen Road at Varsity Drive.
The victim reported that the offender grabbed her, groped her and attempted to drag her toward the tree line between Old Omen Road and UT Tyler parking lot 7. After the victim screamed several times and a passing motorist slowed, the offender released the victim and ran from the scene toward parking lot 7.
Neither the victim nor the suspect are UT Tyler students.
UT Tyler police notified students this morning of the assault.
They advised students as a matter of safety and precaution to walk or jog with a partner as persons walking or jogging alone are more susceptible to being attacked. Stay in well-lighted areas and immediately report suspicious persons or activity to police.
If you are attacked, do as the victim did in this case and scream loudly.