Portland Community College identifies suspect after repeated stalking and sexual harassment reports near Southeast Campus bus stops

Campus safety alert follows a series of reported encounters

Portland Community College has identified a suspect connected to a string of reported incidents in which female students said they were followed, approached, and subjected to unwanted contact and sexually explicit comments near the college’s Southeast Campus area. The incidents have been concentrated around nearby transit stops, particularly along Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street, an area used daily by students commuting to and from campus.

The college issued community alerts after receiving multiple reports over recent weeks describing a similar pattern of behavior: a person approaching women in public, escalating to unwanted physical contact in at least one report, and attempting to corner individuals near bus stops. The college has treated the reports as a potential ongoing safety concern while working with law enforcement and campus public safety staff.

What has been reported so far

In one incident reported in early February, a woman told campus officials she was approached near the bus stop at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street at about 4 p.m. She reported being touched inappropriately and pushed, and said the suspect fled after being confronted.

By mid-February, the college said the most recent report had occurred the previous Wednesday evening in the same general area. The college also described the case series as the third report since late January, indicating a recurring issue rather than an isolated event.

• Reported behaviors have included repeated following, unwanted contact, and unsolicited sexual comments.
• Incidents have been described as occurring near transit stops and in areas adjacent to campus.
• Descriptions shared in alerts have consistently identified a Black adult male wearing dark clothing, with additional clothing details varying by report.

How the identification fits into PCC’s response framework

PCC maintains policies prohibiting sexual or gender-based harassment and misconduct, including stalking and sexual harassment, and outlines formal processes for reporting and response. The college also provides pathways for students to seek confidential support and to make safety-related reports, including options for those who do not want to initiate a formal complaint.

Students are encouraged to prioritize immediate safety, seek help quickly when they feel threatened, and report concerning behavior so incidents can be investigated and patterns identified.

Safety guidance emphasized in the alerts

In its outreach to students and staff, PCC has urged people in the area to remain aware of their surroundings, avoid isolated locations when possible, and report suspicious behavior promptly to public safety or police. The college’s messaging has also focused on practical measures—such as staying in well-traveled areas and seeking help immediately—while the investigation proceeds.

The identification of a suspect is a key step in a case that has relied on repeated reports and consistent behavioral descriptions. Any criminal charges, if pursued, would depend on investigative findings and the standard evidentiary process handled by law enforcement and prosecutors.