Suspect poses as masseur, calls businesses

By Isaac DeVille, staff reporter.

A text message from Delta’s automated system read, “Suspicious person claiming to be student offering massage at local businesses,” on Friday, Nov. 4 at 4:23 p.m.

According to Public Safety, the suspect is calling businesses in Claire, Alma, and Saginaw Township, offering free massages. He has not yet approached anyone directly on campus.

Director of Public Safety Robert Battinkoff says they have not yet identified the culprit.

“He claims to be a a Delta student, and we don’t think he actually is. We just put the information out because we wanted our community to be aware of those kind of activities,” says Battinkoff.

Delta does not yet offer a massage program, but it will in the future.

“He didn’t get his education from here. We don’t want the future massage program tainted by this person’s behavior,” says Battinkoff.

Battinkoff encourages anyone with information to contact Public Safety.

“If you have a situation you are concerned about, stop by and ask us and we’ll let you know what we find,” says Battinkoff.  “The best way to make him stop, if you can’t catch the person, is make sure everyone is aware of what’s going on so that it’s no longer effective for him to do this.”

If you have any information, you can call public safety at (989) 686-9113.  You can also reach the chief by his e-mail at robertbattinkoff@delta.edu.