An unknown man attempted to sexually assault a woman outside Delta Terrace residence hall at 3:25 a.m. Wednesday, university police said.
The woman, a student, was grabbed from behind after walking out of Delta Terrace to use a cell phone.
The man forced her to an isolated location, threw her to the ground and straddled her. He then stopped the assault and walked away for unknown reasons. The woman received minor scratches but no major injuries.
The suspect is described in a police statement as being a Hispanic man in his 20s with a short, trimmed beard.
This is the fifth sexual assault to have occurred on or near the UCLA campus in March, a marked increase from January and February, which saw no such incidents, said UCPD crime analyst Kristi Godines.
On March 5, a woman escaped from an Asian man in his 20s who attempted to sexually assault her in an early morning attack on the 800 block of Hilgard Avenue.
On March 8 and 26, women were groped by an unknown man, described in both cases as being Hispanic, about 5 feet 6 inches and 40 years old, as he walked by them.
On March 12, a date rape occurred off campus and involved people who knew each other, Godines said.
Police have no new leads and no suspects in any of these incidents, said UCPD Capt. John Adams.
Despite the prevalence of sexual assaults in March, cases are down overall from 2009, when there were 11 recorded assaults from January through March, Godines said.
Based on descriptions of the suspects, Adams said he does not believe the man responsible for the Wednesday assault was involved in previous attacks.
While investigations into the matter proceed, university police will be redirecting patrols to the Hill and posting fliers in the area.
Police can only work within their means, though, and students should exercise caution when they are outside at night, Adams said. Between five and 12 officers are responsible for patrolling the UCLA campus during the night shift, he added.
“It’s hard because we’re in the city of L.A., which is a large geographic area where a lot of sexual assaults are occurring,” Adams said.
A BruinAlert was not sent out Wednesday morning because police did not deem there to be an active threat.
“We already contacted (the Office of Residential Life), and they’re putting up fliers,” Adams said. “So rather than panic the entire campus community, we localized.”
Adams added that sending out a BruinAlert involves going through logistical hurdles, as police do not directly control the alert system.
In the meantime, students are advised to walk in groups and in well-lit areas at night. Community Service Officer Escort services are available from dusk to 1 a.m. and can be reached at 310-794-9255.
Anyone with information about the assault is encouraged to contact UCPD detectives at 310-825-9371.