MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Another sexual assault reported in Seattle’s U-District

May 10, 2016, 2:38 PM | Updated: 3:36 pm

Recent sexual assaults around the University of Washington have similar accounts from the victims. ...

Recent sexual assaults around the University of Washington have similar accounts from the victims. (University of Washington)

(University of Washington)

Seattle police are investigating a sexual assault that occurred in the University District. It is the third incident with a similar story within two months.

A female victim reported to police that on May 6 that she was walking in the 5200 block of 15th Avenue NE late in the evening. She was approached by a man who was walking a dog. The two walked together until they reached 56th Street. That’s when the suspect forced the woman into an alleyway and sexually assaulted her. He then fled.

The man is reportedly white, in his 20s and about 5 foot 8 inches tall. He had blonde hair and was wearing glasses.

A Seattle police spokesperson said that, at this time, there is no connection between the assault and other recent, similar cases around the University District. They will look at the possibility of any relation, though, the spokesperson said. UW police also report that no connection has yet been made between any of the cases, but that campus police are collaborating with Seattle police to determine if there are any potential connections.

But the May 6 report is very similar to two other recent assaults in the U-District. While one victim was unable to provide a suspect description, two victims report a white man in his 20s. Two of the assaults involved forcing a woman into an alleyway.

• On April 16, around 1 a.m., a woman was sexually assaulted in the 4200 block of Roosevelt Way NE and 11th Avenue NE. She was walking alone when she was grabbed and forced into an alleyway and sexually assaulted. The woman was not able to provide a description of the suspect.

• UW police also have reported that a woman was sexually assaulted on March 6 around 1 a.m. in the 4700 block of 18th Avenue NE. The victim was pushed to the ground from behind. The suspect then assaulted her before fleeing. The suspect in this case is described as a white male, tall and in good physical shape.

Other sexual assaults, including groping, have also been reported in recent months around the University District. Some accounts do not line up with the more recent reports. One reported sexual assault was from a female student who met a 24-year-old white male with dark brown hair at her residence on campus. That suspect is not believed to be a UW student.

Any information on the cases can be reported to the UW police department at 206-685-8973, or to the Seattle Police Department at 206-684-5575.

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