University police are searching for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a UCLA student at 7 p.m. Saturday near the corner of Strathmore and Levering avenues.
A man followed a student about 50 feet down Strathmore Avenue before grabbing her by the waist, forcing her into his vehicle and sexually assaulting her, said UCPD spokeswoman Nancy Greenstein.
The police report describes the suspect as a white man between 30 and 35 years old, with short brown hair and a heavy build. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a black shirt, beige athletic shorts and white shoes.
The victim escaped the suspect’s car, a 10- to 15-year-old, four-door Honda Civic, according to the police report. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.
“It is highly unusual that students here are vulnerable to an assault from an unknown person,” Greenstein said.
Around 2 a.m. the same day, a battery occurred on Charles E. Young Drive West when a man driving a green van crossed into the opposite lane, reached out of the car and grabbed a student’s wrist, Greenstein said.
The van was heading northbound on Charles E. Young Drive West, as the victim walked on the other side of the street, listening to music.
The victim pulled free and ran toward De Neve Plaza, and the suspect fled in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s, Greenstein said.
Police do not know whether the incidents are related, but in both cases the victims were listening to music, Greenstein said. She encouraged students to be aware of their surroundings to prevent attacks, and to call police if there is any suspicious activity.
“In both cases, the students allowed themselves to be distracted,” Greenstein said.
Both cases are currently under investigation by the UCPD. Anyone with information about the incidents should call the UCPD at 310-825-1491.