Intimidating brochures with the names, home addresses, home telephone numbers, and photographs of biomedical researchers at University of California at Santa Cruz have been found at a popular downtown coffee shop, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. This is apparently the latest episode in a series of intimidations and attacks against scientists and institutions that conduct research on animals.

A customer at the coffee shop brought a dozen pamphlets to the local police, saying the fliers had been left at the cafe by an unidentified person. The pamphlets say: “Animal abusers everywhere beware; we know where you live; we know where you work; we will never back down until you end your abuse.” The brochures came with personal details of researchers who work on mice, fruit flies, and other animals, but the police have not determined whether the personal information is correct.

The university is notifying the employees mentioned in the pamphlets as a precaution, although nobody has reported being harassed. The police are looking for the author of the brochures, who could be charged with intent to terrorize and additional charges if the documents prompt violence against researchers. Last winter, six masked people banged on the front door of a Santa Cruz researcher and allegedly struck her husband in the hand when he opened the door. —Maria José Viñas