Watch CBS News

Female Rutgers Student Attacked During Attempted Sexual Assault

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A female student was viciously attacked at Rutgers University early Wednesday morning.

CBS2's Meg Baker reported that students received an alert Wednesday that a female student was attacked during an attempted sexual assault right off Rutgers' main drag College Avenue.

"It's really scary. I always keep pepper-spray on me," student Taylor Ray said. "I'm so terrified of this, it could happen to anyone."

Students finishing up the semester said alerts like this have become all too frequent this year.

"It seems like there's a lot of crime alerts around here, get them all the time from New Brunswick. You get them from this street, you get them from other campuses, it's crazy," student Ben Gabrysisak said.

In this most recent incident, the victim was struck in the face and yelled for help to a nearby witness. The suspect fled towards Seminary Place.

"I wonder why we don't have policeman actively patrolling here late at night because we know that it's a problem," Rutgers professor Greg Camilli said.

The man is described as a black male, 30 to 40 years old, approximately 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He was wearing a grey zip-up hooded sweatshirt.

Rutgers Police Chief Kenneth Cop said that crime is down this year.

"There have been less alerts that have gone out but I understand everyone's concern for safety right now given the nature of the incident," Cop said.

Authorities are advising students to stay in groups and also call police if they need an escort home.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.