Update, 5:30 p.m. The Berkeley Police Department has announced it believes this most recent sexual assault is linked to several sexual assaults around campus in February.
Scroll down for video of the man police believe to be responsible.
According to a statement from BPD on Saturday evening, the victim in this most recent incident was a 21-year-old woman who fought back against her assailant. Unlike the victims in the prior incidents, she was not Asian.
The man was described as Hispanic, in his mid-20s to early 30s, unshaven and wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. Police said that, though this description differed slightly from prior descriptions, they believe the suspect could be the same person.
“We believe that the incident relates to previous assaults in the South Campus area,” police said in Saturday’s statement. “Detectives are seeking the community’s help in identifying the suspect.”
Scroll to the bottom of this story to learn how to contact police. Read more about the prior incidents.
Original story, 2:28 p.m. Police are looking for a man who sexually assaulted a UC Berkeley student early Saturday, authorities have announced. The incident took place at 12:09 a.m. in the 2500 block of Etna Street, near Dwight Way.
The female victim, whose age was not released, was “approached from behind by the male suspect who dragged her off of the sidewalk and sexually assaulted her.” Police released no further details about the nature of the attack.
Video from a prior incident, released previously, appears below. The top video is in real time, and the lower video has been slowed down.
The man was last seen fleeing northbound on Etna. He was described as Hispanic, in his mid-20s to early 30s, and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt “with a scruffy face.”
The campus community has been on alert recently, since authorities reported that several Asian women had been targeted near campus in sexual assaults.
The University of California Police Department said it released the statement Saturday afternoon “with the joint cooperation of BPD and UCPD.”
The statement continued: “In the interest of the follow-up investigation, these are all the very important community safety Crime Alert details that UCPD and BPD are offering at this time.”
UCPD included the following safety tips in its announcement Saturday:
- If you feel you are being followed, cross the street, yell, run and look for a well-lit area or occupied building.
- Utilize the free Night Safety Services
- If you are the victim of a sexual assault and wish to file a police report do not shower or wash clothing worn during the assault.
The following resources are available to crime survivors, though some are specifically linked to the university and require UC affiliation:
- Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR): 24-hour line, 510-845-RAPE (7273)
- Confidential Care Advocate: 510-642-1988
- Tang Social Services: 510-642-6074
- The Survivor Support Website – http://survivorsupport.berkeley.edu/
- Gender Equity Resource Center: 510-643-5727
- CARE Services for Faculty and Staff: 510-643-7754
Police ask anyone with information about the crime to call the Berkeley Police Department Special Victims Unit at 510-981-5735. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Related:
Asian women targeted in 3 sexual assaults near Cal; police release video, ask public for help (02.18.16)
2 sexual assaults near People’s Park in Berkeley in 6 days (02.17.16)
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