The UW Oshkosh community received three Titan Alerts over the weekend that made the campus aware of an attempted sexual assault, an attempted robbery and a suspicious person exposing himself.
The alerts were the first crime-related notices the University sent out to notify campus of dangerous activity this semester.
According to Lt. Matt Kroening of the Oshkosh Police Department, Joshua Immel, 27, was arrested on suspicion for attempted sexual assault, burglary, battery and auto theft.
Immel has a history of being involved with crime; according to court records, he has a criminal history that dates back to 2007.
After the arrest, Immel was then transferred to Winnebago County Jail according to the Titan Alert.
UW Oshkosh Police Department Capt. Chris Tarmann said people from the community intervened and gave a good description of the person.
“This information helped us get started on our investigation,” Tarmann said. “We worked collaboratively with Oshkosh Police Department the entire day on Sunday and ultimately resolved the case with an arrest of the 27-year-old male subject who was responsible for this and several other incidents near campus.”
UPD said in a Titan Alert they arrested the man accused of exposing himself.
According to the Titan Alert, the man was sitting in an older-model car heading north on Elmwood Avenue when he exposed his genitalia to a student on campus and asked her to perform a sexual act.
There was an attempted robbery at the intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Reed Avenue around 11:39 p.m.
The alert described the suspect as a 6-foot-tall, 20-30-year-old black male, around 175-180 pounds, with goatee a couple inches in length and shoulder-length dreads with blonde tips.
The alert said to contact authorities immediately with any information about the suspect.
UWO sophomore Alfred Johnson said the increase in Titan Alerts is alarming.
“I get a little bit paranoid coming from the library at night, and it’s all dark,” Johnson said. “I don’t know if anything is going to pop out.”
Johnson said he feels safe on campus but understands the situation.
“I just have a healthy precaution for what’s going on,” Johnson said.
Tarmann said there are a few safety tips to follow including to choose an open, well-lit, and well-traveled area.
“Always be vigilant when you’re out and about,” Tarmann said. “Be aware of your surroundings at all times but especially when it’s dark out and if you happen to be walking alone. Make eye contact with passers-by and glance occasionally behind you.”
Tarmann said UPD always ask community members to walk with friends or take advantage of the UW Oshkosh Police Department Safewalk program.
“This program gets two extra people in your group while you walk about campus,” Tarmann said. “We also respond up to five blocks off campus in any direction. If you’re further than five blocks away, you can call the Police Department and community service officers will talk with you while you meet each other at a mutual safe location. Community members can request a Safewalk a couple different ways: calling us 920-424-1212 or using [the new app,] UWO Mobile.”
