Fordham Student Sexually Assaulted Near Bronx Campus, University Says
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police late Sunday said two men tried to sexually assault a Fordham University student near campus in the Bronx.
As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, other students said they are worried because of where it happened.
"I was really shocked, because, like, I walk here all the time," said fellow student Jenna Kocsis.
Fordham students woke up to reports that a student was sexually assaulted around 10:05 p.m. Saturday in an alleyway adjacent to the Dunkin' Donuts at 601 E. Fordham Rd., according to an alert from Fordham Public Safety.
"(The alert) just said that a young girl right off campus over here was assaulted last night," said student Ryan Davis.
The student said she left campus through the Walsh Gate and was passing through the alleyway toward Fordham Road when two men loitering in the alleyway accosted her, the alert said.
One man grabbed her and forcibly held her arms behind her back while the other forcibly groped her body, the alert said.
Fordham Student Sexually Assaulted Near Bronx Campus, University Says
As one of the men began unzipping his pants, some unknown people approached the rear parking lot of the Dunkin' Donuts and apparently alarmed the assailants, who ran off on Fordham Road, the alert said.
The student was not injured, and continued on to her off-campus apartment, the alert said.
The alley is a popular shortcut for students.
"Pretty much every day – I've never had an issue, honestly," one student said.
"Yes, probably once a day, because I live on the other side of the street so I definitely use that alley," added Kocsis, a senior engineering student.
But Kocsis said she will now reconsider.
"I was talking to my friends this morning, and we're all like, OK, we'll be walking through Dunkin' Donuts now instead of around it," she said.
Many students also told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten they are walking in groups from now on.
Police came to the student's apartment and also canvassed the area, but did not find anyone, the alert said. They also collected video footage and other possible evidence, the alert said.
Anyone with information on the incident was asked to contact the Detective Barranger at the Bronx Special Victims Unit, at (718) 378-8921, or the Fordham Department of Public Safety At (718) 817-2222, where callers should ask for the duty supervisor.
