Jacksonville student groped after responding to Craigslist ad for babysitter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — University of North Florida police are on the lookout for a man after a student said he groped her when she met him to discuss a babysitter job advertised on Craigslist.

The student said she responded to an ad on Craigslist seeking a babysitter for a single dad.

She talked to a 45-year-old man over the computer and then met him in the library parking lot on campus to discuss the job on Wednesday around 9:50 p.m.

She said she got into his car so they could talk privately.

The man told her pay would be $1,700 a week for the job. He also told her he needed a "friend."

She told him she wasn't comfortable with that, and he touched her inappropriately.

Later in the conversation, he touched her again.

She got out of his car and called UNF police.

The man was driving a gold, four-door Honda with a partial license plate tag IUW.

The student said he was approximately 6 feet tall with a fat stomach and dark complexion.

Police are urging people on campus to use caution when responding to ads on the internet or meeting with strangers.

Action News Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said it's important to make sure not to go alone if meeting someone from Craigslist.

"Take someone with you never go alone always take someone with you have that person with their phone ready to call 911 if they need to," Jefferson said.

Jefferson also said not to get into a car when conducting a Craigslist transaction with someone.

"You don't ever want to compromise yourself by getting in a car. This person is very fortunate that he didn't drive off with her and abduct her," Jefferson said.

Anyone with information about the man is asked to call UPD at 904-620-2800.

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