A female University student allegedly was assaulted near the Lambeth Colonnades Tuesday night, according to University Police, in the second such incident reported by students near on-Grounds residence areas in less than a week.
University Police Capt. Michael Coleman said the student made a call to University police shortly after 10:30 p.m., when she reported that an unidentified white male had grabbed her from behind.
Police responded to the scene but were unable to locate the suspect, Coleman said.
The student, whose name is not being released by police for privacy reasons, reported having screamed at the scene, after which the suspect fled the area.
The alleged assailant is described as being between 5-foot-5-inches and 5-foot-8-inches in height and 140 to 150 pounds in weight, according to police.
Coleman said the details provided by the student do not fit the pattern of activity characteristic of the serial rapist.
Last week, University Police were alerted to an alleged assault that occurred near the Alderman Road residence area where a female student reported having been grabbed from behind by a white male of muscular build.
While there currently is no evidence that the two occurrences are related, Coleman said police presence will be heightened around Grounds.
"When we have incidents that occur, we have officers that are informed of the location and are directed to patrol those sorts of locations," he said.
Though the paved path where the assault allegedly occurred is located on University property, much of the surrounding area is under the jurisdiction of the City.
Charlottesville Police Sgt. Stephen Upman said the department was not notified of the reported assault.
"We haven't had any reports of assault that I know of near Rugby," he said. "They don't notify us of every incident."
The incidents are not being investigated by the City at this time, but Upman said there is potential for coordination with the University in the investigation.
"What criteria is used to flag these is determined on a case-by-case basis," he said.
Earlier this month, three University students allegedly were robbed at gunpoint near Rugby Road on the railroad tracks in two separate incidents.
In an apparently unrelated incident Tuesday night, Charlottesville Police responded to an alleged assault at Baja Bean on the Corner.
Restaurant manager Brandon Collins said a patron was arrested following an alleged altercation with the establishment's doorman.
Upman could not confirm details of the alleged altercation at Baja Bean but did verify that police responded to an assault at that restaurant.
In light of the recent rash of incidents, Coleman encouraged students to be attentive to potentially-threatening situations.
"People need to be aware of their surroundings and if they see anything suspicious," he said.
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