'I don't think he's going to stop': victim of suspected serial predator at UND speaks out

GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks Police Department says a series of break-in cases have baffled them for more than two years, and what was the intent of these random break-ins.

Investigators aren't sure if it's the same guy each time, but admit the cases are similar and the victim's description of the suspect are pretty close.

"I have to live with that fear everyday, and so do all the victims," said Jacquelyn Emery.

Surveillance video at her home provided police with one of the best leads in the case when a man broke into her off campus home back in May. She believes the same man also broke into her house in October and sexually assaulted her roommate.

Emery, a senior aviation student at the University of North Dakota, says it's tough to close her eyes at night.

"Is tonight the night he breaks-in again," Emery says she asks herself each night.

The suspicious incidents started in November 2019, when a man was caught taking pictures inside a sorority house at UND in the middle of the night.

The following August, a similar looking man struck again, breaking into a home near campus full of sleeping women. A man broke in again the next night, but nobody was home.

A man came back a third time, but was spooked off by someone in the yard.

"It's tough on you, you don't like to not be able to figure things out," said Lieutenant Jeremy Moe with the Grand Forks Police Department.

Grand Forks police did identify and speak with a person of interest who is a student on campus. However, despite multiple investigators working the cases over the past two years, they can't pin down who may be behind the break-ins, or say with certainty that they are all connected.

After using all investigative tactics, the cases are now closed. But they can be reopened at any moment.

"Any new information that is developed or passed along to us, we will follow up on," explained Moe.

While the cases may be closed, Emery wants to share the nights of terror at her house to remind other young women on campus this guy is still out there.

"I don't think he is going to stop, so that's why I am here today, just to warn other people. I don't think this person's done," she said.