‘ A 34 year-old man was arrested forsexually assaulting a female student on campus, according to Douglas Little,Deputy Chief of the University Police.
Three female students, whose names are being withheld forprivacy reasons, said that around 9 p.m. on Feb. 28 they were walking on CenterDrive toward Melville Library when they were approached by a male. He grabbed onewoman’s groin area and ran off when the women fought back.
The students alerted members of the Resident Safety Program(RSP) who were walking nearby.’
‘One of the women noticed we were doing ourrounds,’ said Emmanuel Gyamfi, RSP coordinator.’
The RSP workers observed the suspect’s flight path andradioed the University Police for assistance.
‘The man was going past the stadium to the other sideof the train tracks,’ Gyamfi said.
University Police arrived and followed the suspect acrossroute 25A into a wooded area.’ The Suffolk County Police Department CanineUnit arrived and searched the woods with dogs.’ At 9:59 p.m., a suspectwas arrested 100 yards north of route 25A by University Police.
According to Little, Mark D. Lightcap of East Setauket was arrestedand charged with sexual abuse in the third degree, defined as an instance in whicha person subjects another person to sexual contact without consent.’
‘He [Lightcap] was not affiliated with thecollege,’ Little added.
If convicted, Lightcap can expect a sentence of up to threemonths in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $500.
Philip Morales, a University Police officer, was involvedwith the chase and pleased with the cooperation they received from RSP.’ ‘It was a good example of everyone working together to apprehend thisperson,’ he said.
RSP consists of roughly 140 students who patrol the campusand residence halls, check for broken lights and check if doors aresecure.’ ‘We are the eyes and ears of the campus police,’ Gyamfisaid.’ RSP personnel cannot arrest suspects, but have the ability to radiosuspicious activity to the University Police.
Little said that sexual assaults are uncommon on campus, andGyamfi agreed.’
‘I’ve been on campus for … around seven or eight
years,’ Gyamfi said.’ ‘This is the first timeI was called about something like this.’
According to University Police statistics, there was onerape and one sexual abuse case reported in 2002, and there have been no rapesand two sexual abuse cases reported in 2003.