sketches courtesy Tucson Police Department

Last month, the Tucson Police releases the first two sketches (top and middle) of a man suspected of raping a UA student Oct. 3 near campus. The third sketch was released Friday after TPD detectives determined the Oct. 3 assault and an Oct. 31 sexual assault may be linked to the same man.

Police not yet releasing evidence that same suspect is responsible

Two rapes that occurred near campus in October are now being linked to the same man, police say.

The sexual assaults of a 20-year-old University of Arizona student on Oct. 3 and of a 22-year-old Tucsonan on Oct. 31 were, in fact, committed by the same suspect, said Sgt. Marco Borboa, spokesman for the Tucson Police Department.

Borboa said police are not releasing the evidence that led them to believe the two sexual assaults are linked.

"I'm sure this thing will take its course. (Specific evidence) might not be released until there's a trial," he said. "This is an ongoing investigation, and it's hard to say where it will end up."

Borboa also said it remains to be determined if the same man is responsible for a different assault on Oct. 3 that occurred earlier in the day.

Both Oct. 3 assaults occurred on the 800 block of East Adams Street. The Oct. 31 sexual assault occurred on the 1400 block of East Blacklidge Street.

On Oct. 3, a man broke into the home of a 19-year-old UA student at approximately 8:55 a.m. and demanded money.

Later that day, a man - who has not yet been determined to be the same suspect - broke into a different house on the same block and physically and sexually assaulted the student who lives there.

The student was able to escape and run across the street to a neighbor's house for help.

Detectives described the suspect as a 20- to 30-year-old white male with tan, leathery skin. He has short, reddish-brown, wavy hair. He is about 5-foot-8 with a muscular, stocky build. He may also have a small goatee.

In light of these assaults, Borboa is advising students to take advantage of the safety services provided on campus and to take extra precautions when going out alone, especially at night.

Borboa said TPD has established a 24-hour hotline for the public to contribute information relating to these sexual assault investigations. Anyone with information can call 791-4939 or the county attorney's tipster line at 88-CRIME. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.

"We are hoping to get any type of investigative leads," he said. "(Evidence) may be generated through the release of the composite drawing."