The Ithaca Police Department has released new information relating to the “forcible touching incident” that occurred on the 300 block of College Ave. at around 12:15 a.m. on Sept. 5.

On Monday, the IPD issued a press release, more than a week after the incident, that contains a description of the two suspects. According to the statement, the first suspect is a “white male, thin build, short brown hair, brown eyes, with scruffy facial hair, 5’8” tall, with a large gap in his front teeth.” The second suspect is “5’6” tall, heavy build, brown hair, brown eyes, and as being dirty.”

According to the IPD, a passing officer was flagged down by a college-aged female who reported that she was grabbed by two men and pulled into a parking lot where they attempted to restrain her and pulled on her clothing. However, she was able to run away from them and they did not follow her.

“This is an intensive on-going investigation and all leads are being pursued vigorously,” said IPD Chief Edward Vallely in a statement.

On Sept. 7, members of the Cornell community received a crime alert e-mail about the incident.

Kathy Zoner, interim chief of the Cornell University Police Department, said, “We’re obligated by the Clery Act to report crimes that appear to have an ongoing threat to the community.”

To this effect, when CUPD heard of the incident they contacted IPD and then passed on the information to the community. However, “CUPD’s jurisdiction is on campus and to the best of our knowledge the event happened off campus so we’re providing support as best as we can,” said Zoner. “We see a pretty significant amount of collaboration [with IPD] largely because we know our students and we have a more intimate relationship with them; it’s a pretty unique environment and word travels more quickly on campus.”

Cornell students who live in Collegetown seem relatively unfazed by the event.

“We just make sure the doors are always locked,” said Ansu Abraham ’11.

According to Zoner, it is in all students’ best interests to walk in groups, know who they are meeting with and if they are going somewhere alone, they should let someone else know when to expect them back.

“We’ve had excellent results once we know better who we’re looking for because then we can have the community out on watch,” Zoner said.

IPD also asks that anyone with information about the current investigation call them at (607) 272-3245.