Monday October 22, 2001

Attack does not appear related to Oct. 3 assaults, police say

A man attempted to sexually assault two UA students while they were walking near campus Thursday night, a UAPD spokesman said.

University of Arizona Police Department Cmdr. Brian Seastone said the incident does not appear to be related to the sexual assault of a UA student near campus Oct. 3.

The two victims were power-walking along East Second Street near North Martin Avenue at about 10:45 p.m. Thursday when they heard someone yell "Hey." When they turned around, they saw a man with his pants around his knees, masturbating, Seastone said.

They turned to run in the opposite direction when the man came up behind them and groped them. He forced one of the students to the ground, pulled her pants down and attempted to rape her.

The other student managed to escape and began to kick the man, Seastone said.

A man then came out of a nearby fraternity house and yelled. The suspect ran to his car - a small, black two-door sporty vehicle - and drove away.

One of the victims said that the man ejaculated on her clothes before he ran away.

The suspect was described as 6 foot 3 with a skinny build and buzz haircut. He looked to be 18 to 20 years old, and was not wearing a shirt. He was wearing green boxer shorts and had blue jeans around his knees.

Both victims said they will now take additional precautions when they walk around campus and said they are now carrying mace and walking in large groups.

"I've always felt really safe walking around campus. I never thought something like this could happen around campus," one victim said.

Both the victims and Seastone said students should use Safe Ride, a service operated by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, to get around campus at night.

The service offers free rides in the UA area from dusk until 12:55 a.m. on school nights. People wishing to use Safe Ride should call 621-SAFE.

Seastone said UAPD will also escort people to destinations near campus at any time. People who want to use this free service should call 621-UAPD.