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On Saturday, October 28, 2023, at approximately 11:30 AM, West Lafayette Police Department officers were dispatched to the West Lafayette Post Office, 610 W. Navajo St., regarding an alleged sexual battery incident.
Upon arrival officers met with an adult female who reported that a male had approached her in the parking lot at the West Lafayette Walmart, 2801 Northwestern Ave., and asked her for assistance in locating the post office. The suspect convinced the victim to escort him to the post office while he followed her in his own vehicle.
When they arrived the male suspect allegedly reapproached the female victim and reached into her car and assaulted her by touching her in a sexual manner. The woman fought back against the assault and began honking her car horn to gain the attention of passersby. A good Samaritan observed what was happened and came to her aid, pulling the man away from her car.
The suspect then attempted to leave in a vehicle but was stopped by WLPD officers nearby. Willard L. Cutter, 76, of Brookston, IN was arrested after a subsequent investigation. He is preliminarily charged with Sexual Battery, Battery, and Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle.
It is possible that this person may have attempted or committed similar acts that have not been reported to the police. WLPD is asking for anyone with more information on this subject, or anyone else who has potentially been victimized by this person, to call the West Lafayette Police Department at (765)775-5200 or use the anonymous WeTip Hotline by calling (800) 78-CRIME.
The West Lafayette Police Department would also like to point out that the victim in this incident is a graduate of the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Women’s Self Defense Program. The victim credited her training in RAD with giving her the sense and will to fight back against this assault while also creating the disruption that led to the passerby coming to her aid.
The fact that the defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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