WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) is now releasing more information regarding a string of assaults on men in Downtown.
Police believe at least 11 incidents could be related, with the first incident going back as far as January of 2018. Of the victims, seven of them were military personnel and at least four of the 11 men might have been sexually assaulted.
“Police are now investigating at a total of eleven crimes against men that occurred in the downtown area near bar closing times. Investigators say the challenge with investigating these assaults is that several of the initial reports came in listed as misdemeanor crimes with limited information such as breaking and entering and larceny from a person. The date and time of the crimes was also sporadic. There was a four-month lag time between some incidents, and crime scene locations and other details are limited due to the condition of the victims at the time the incidents happened. Police have now identified four victims who may have been sexually assaulted. Seven of the victims were military personnel,” WPD spokeswoman Linda Thompson said.
The WPD has increased its presence in Downtown and are working with partners at the state and federal level to investigate the crimes.
“We are also encouraging individuals who drink in public establishments to please exercise caution, travel in groups, don’t leave drinks un-monitored, don’t drink and drive and never leave a bar with a stranger,” Thompson said.
Thompson also noted that the police department would not be releasing police reports on the assaults citing state law.
“In an effort to protect the integrity of this investigation and the safety of the victims in this case we are temporarily withholding the public copies of these reports at this time – per NCGS 132-1.4 (d). We appreciate the support and patience of our citizens. If you have any information about assaults in the downtown area please contact the Wilmington Police Department at 910-343-3609 or use Text-a-Tip or call Crime Stoppers at 800-531-9845,” she concluded.
The additional details follow a release on social media on Monday, apparently in response to inquiries from WECT concerning some of the assaults.
Last week, WPD posted warnings about walking alone at night on social media but did not reference any particular incident.
