Sexual battery suspect now held in 2 cases

Campus police now say the same man committed two sexual batteries within 24 hours earlier this week — and he is in jail, again.

Officers identified him as 21-year-old Angel Cruz of Woodland, who had been arrested Monday (Sept. 19) after a female student reported that a man approached her near Aggie Stadium at about 10:30 that night and grabbed her buttocks.

Tuesday morning (Sept. 20), a female employee reported that a man rode up to her on a bicycle, as she was walking to work, and grabbed her buttocks. She said the incident occurred at about 8:20 a.m. in the vicinity of the west entry parking garage.

Police did not immediately suspect Cruz, until learning later that he had been released from the Yolo County Jail early Tuesday. He made his way back to the campus and allegedly committed the second offense, according to police.

Campus investigators said the female employee identified Cruz as her attacker, after city of Davis police had arrested him later Tuesday for probation violation.

Cruz was being held on several misdemeanor charges: two counts of sexual battery, violating an order to stay away from UC Davis (an order that stemmed from his Monday night arrest) and probation violation. He was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Police advise students and others on campus to remain alert to their surroundings, stay in well-lighted areas at night and, wherever possible, travel with friends. Additional safety tips are available online.

The Police Department's Safety Escort Service is available fall, winter and spring quarters, from 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (1 a.m. or later during finals); call (530) 752-1727.

Possible fraud attempt investigated

Campus police are alerting faculty to a possible fraud attempt, in a case that saw the alleged scam artist talk face to face with a professor in his office.

Police Chief Annette Spicuzza said the incident occurred around 9 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 22), when a man identifying himself as Tyler explained how he was starting an asset recovery business, and that his research had revealed that the professor had assets to be recovered.

“Tyler explained that a portion of the assets recovered would be paid to him for his services,” Spicuzza said. “Our professor let Tyler know he was not aware of any assets due him and Tyler left.”

Spicuzza said Tyler did not ask for any front money.

The chief provided this description of Tyler: white, 26 or 27 years old, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9 with a slim build, weighing 140 to 150 pounds, with short brown, spiky hair. He was wearing a collared, button-down dress shirt, and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Department: (530) 752-1230.

Mapping Your Path to Medicine: Oct. 8-9

For many students, from high school age and up, UC Davis can be the starting point on their map to a career in medicine and-or public health.

More specifically, the starting point is Mapping Your Path to Medicine — the title of this year’s pre-medicine and pre-public health conference, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9, presented by the American Medical Student Association chapters at the UC Davis School of Medicine and American River College, Sacramento.

The conference aims to support students in academic and admissions preparation for entry into medical and public health training, and to introduce this kind of study to students who are classified by the American Medical Student Association as “underrepresented in medicine.”

The ARC chapter originated the conference nine years ago, drawing 231 students. UC Davis joined with ARC along the way, and last year’s conference drew 3,277 students — making it the largest pre-medical gathering at any undergraduate institution in the United States, and the only two-day conference.

UC Davis is hosting the conference for the third year in a row, with The Pavilion as the main meeting hall.

Read more.

Yudof, Regent Lansing: 'It Gets Better'

UC President Mark G. Yudof and Board of Regents Chair Sherry Lansing have joined the "It Gets Better" campaign, posting a YouTube video that reaches out to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth with a message of hope and inclusion.

In the video, Yudof and Lansing urge young people who feel ostracized or alone to find support from someone they can trust, and to take heart from the fact that UC, like so many places, celebrates the diversity of its community.

"At UC, we believe that you have the right to feel good about yourself, to live without fear or harassment and to pursue your dreams," Lansing says in the video.

Syndicated columnist Dan Savage launched the "It Gets Better" Project as a national campaign last fall in the wake of several high-profile suicides by teens who had been harassed and bullied at school.

Since then, more than 20,000 people — from celebrities to everyday people — have posted videos to the "It Gets Better" website, with the message: Don't give up, because "It Gets Better."