The Charlottesville Police Department is searching for a suspect involved in the attempted sexual assault of a University student last weekend.
At about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, a female University student, 20, was able to ward off an attempted sexual assault while walking alone on the 1800 block of Jefferson Park Avenue, according to Sgt. C.R. Smith of the Charlottesville Police Department.
"We had a young female walking along the road by herself," Smith said. "She was approached by an African-American male. He spoke to her and then he grabbed her."
The student was able to struggle out of the man's grasp, spray him with mace and then escape, Smith said.
According to Smith, the suspect is a 5-foot-10 black male who is "clean-shaven, of a muscular build and with short brown hair."
Smith said although it is too early to confirm, she doubts this incident is related to the attempted armed robberies that took place recently by the railroad tracks along Virginia Avenue. Both of those incidents remain under police investigation.
Associate Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said this attempted assault demonstrates students need to be careful when walking around Charlottesville.
"Clearly, we urge and expect our students to take all precautions while traveling, especially in the evening hours, and we strongly recommend that our students travel at least in pairs or in groups, and also along well-lit pathways," Laushway said.
Smith said the Charlottesville Police Department is asking the public for any information or updates.
"We rely on information from the public and that solves a lot of cases for us," Smith said.
Read More
False report of active shooter placed U.Va. on lockdown Monday
By Cecilia Mould | 11 hours agoThe University shared a “run, hide, fight” alert with community members at 3:05 p.m. today, saying that there was an active attacker with a gun in the area of Shannon Library.
Mahoney responds to state senators, says DOJ deal was best available option
By Cecilia Mould | Yesterday“The important question, therefore, is whether following the DOJ guidance imposes substantial burdens on U.Va.,” Mahoney wrote. “The answer is clearly no.”
What is the July 29 guidance which U.Va. has committed to in Justice Department deal?
By Lucia Gambacini | YesterdayThe guidance outlines the key federal antidiscrimination laws which it is based on, as well as examples of unlawful and potentially unlawful practices.
