NIU student faces charges after showering woman reported being grabbed in Neptune: cops

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NIU police

By Northern Star staff

A person has been charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct following a woman’s report that she was grabbed by a man in a ski mask while showering in Neptune Hall, according to an NIU safety bulletin.

A suspect was being interviewed in the attempted assault Monday, according to the safety bulletin. A Tuesday update to the bulletin said a suspect had been taken into custody after an anonymous tip led police to the suspect, Joseph Cedric Graves, a 20-year-old NIU student from Chicago.

Cmdr. Don Rodman of the NIU Police Department said Graves will also go through the student conduct process in regard to the two charges.

“Ultimately there will be a decision on his status as a student that’ll be made by the student conduct process,” Rodman said.

The victim said she was in the shower of a third floor bathroom when a person grabbed her arm Sunday, according to the safety bulletin. The woman “yelped” as she was grabbed and the offender fled the scene, according to the safety bulletin.

The offender was described by the victim as about 5-foot-6 with a medium build. He was wearing black clothes and a ski mask, according to the safety bulletin.

There is no imminent threat to the community, according to the safety bulletin.

To report suspicious behavior, contact the NIU Police at 815-753-1212, DeKalb Police at 815-748-8400 or report an incident anonymously at 815-753-8477.