13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |BSU police warn students about sex offender

BSU police warn students about sex offender

Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News

Muncie - There's a warning going out to Ball State University students about a convicted predatory sex offender authorities think could be in the area.

Police are telling students to be on the lookout for a man named Rickey Allen Robbins. According to authorities in Oregon, Robbins recently skipped parole there and may be headed to the Indiana, where he has family in the Richmond area.
    
When Ball State freshman Kristen Hofmeister got a flyer with pictures of Robbins in her e-mail, she said she wasn't sure which face to study first.

"He looks like four different people, 'cause they showed four different pictures and I was like, 'That's the same person'?" said Hofmeister.

But Ball State University police say even though the hair cuts and facial hair are different in each picture, the face is still the same.

"I'm not sure you could forget that face," Ball State University Police Chief Gene Burton. "Am I concerned that he's here today? No. But I still want my officers and my community to be wary and aware that he may, he could frequent here."

Authorities say Robbins is known for hanging out in college bars and sometimes even poses as a college professor.

"He's known for targeting college campuses, college girls. He initiates conversation, asks to take pictures," explained Burton.

"Kinda scary," said Ball State junior Kaitlin Vaughn.

"It's just really weird," added her friend and student Natasha Sieracki.

"It makes you a little bit nervous," said Hofmeister.
    
That's why some of the female students say they're being a little more careful since getting the e-mail warning them about Robbins.

"I think everyone is a little bit more watchful when they're walking at night from downtown or just making sure who's around you more often then you normally would probably," explained Vaughn.

"I think if you're aware that's the most important thing," said Sieracki.

Kristen Hofmeister says she'll be carrying her phone with her at all times. But she says she's studied Robbins' photos long enough to know who she's trying to avoid. Police describe Robbins as 57 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds with brown and gray hair. They say he also has scars on his stomach, back and chest.

Anyone who spots Robbins is asked to call Ball State University Police at (812) 285-1111.