by Angela Fortuna

Just a few blocks away from Central Connecticut State University, a 16-year-old girl reported that she was allegedly kidnapped on Thursday, Oct. 12.

The alleged kidnapping occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. The incident took place in a parking lot across from Saint Francis Assisi Church on 1755 Stanley Street in New Britain, according to the New Britain Police Department.

On Saturday, the New Britain Police Department determined that the incident was not arbitrary, and that the teen knew the alleged suspect.

It was later confirmed by the New Britain Police Department that the victim willingly entered the vehicle and left without any injuries.

According to New Britain police, the victim informed officials that she “was able to free herself from the car and run to a friend’s home for assistance.”

The victim told police she was forced into a car by a male suspect, who referred to himself as Edwin, described as a heavy-set Hispanic male with short brown hair, brown eyes and a pencil-thin beard.

The victim said that the suspect asked her to “perform a sexual act,” according to New Britain police.

Police officials said the victim described the alleged suspect as driving a late-model green BMW 3 with tinted windows and possibly a breathalyzer ignition locking system, according to WFSB.

Initial police reports stated that the victim was in fact a CCSU student, however, further investigating proved otherwise.

Even though the incident did not occur on campus, CCSU Police and New Britain Police are taking precautions by patrolling the area more than usual.

An email was sent out to students on Friday morning about the incident, urging students to be cautious when walking around campus or the surrounding areas at night.

“CCSU Police will provide additional patrol coverage to this area, but please be advised to use caution nonetheless. Report any suspicious activity at once,” an email from Mark McLaughlin, associate vice president of Marketing and Communications, said on behalf of the CCSU Police Department. “The CCSU Police is providing this alert for purposes of awareness and to reinforce the need to use caution when walking alone.”

This is not the first time CCSU has been a part of a false claim, which resulted in a panicked campus.

CCSU is no stranger to enforcing safety measures, as they were implemented on Nov. 5, 2013 when former student David Kyem triggered a campus-wide lockdown after police received multiple phone calls, in fear of his realistic Halloween costume.

Kyem told New Britain police he was returning from a Halloween party one weekend when he returned to campus wearing a tactical vest, camouflage pants, mask, sword and handgun, according to the New York Daily News.

As of Monday night, no criminal charges have been filed against the alleged suspect or alleged victim.

Anyone with any information related to the incident is asked to call the New Britain Police Department at 860-826-3131. Anyone can leave an anonymous tip by calling 860-826-319.