Wake Tech warns of man soliciting women on campus

Two women informed campus security that an unidentified man approached them in the parking lot of Wake Tech's main campus on U.S. Highway 401 south of Raleigh in recent days and offered them large sums of money to perform sex acts. The man told the women that the request is part of a fraternity pledge, college officials said.

"We think that's just what he's using as a guise to talk to the females," said Steve Gregory, director of security at Wake Tech. 

In 2009, a woman reported being approached in a similar way on the campus by a man fitting the same description. All three cases are believed to be linked, Gregory said.

The man is white, in his 20s, and drives a black GMC or Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, according to a description given to the Wake County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office has been notified of the incidents, but deputies haven't been able to determine if any crime has occurred, college officials said.

"There was no indication of any violence," said Gregory. "It was just discussion. The person was trying to coax the females into the vehicle with him."

Wake Tech officials sent an email to 50,000 students Monday warning that the incidents are potentially dangerous and urging women to call 911 if they are approached. Anyone with more information about previous incidents is asked to contact campus security.

The campus has 24-hour security and recently added extra lights in the parking lot. There are surveillance cameras installed inside campus buildings and on some building exteriors, but there are none in the parking lot. Several emergency call boxes are in the lot and around campus, but school officials said student should be aware of their surrounding and report any suspicious activity.

Student Mia Hardy said she feels safe on campus.

"I see them every now and then driving around in the security car," she said.