Attack on EMU student not related to Ann Arbor sexual assaults, officials say
Officials at Eastern Michigan University don’t believe an attack Thursday night on a student at EMU is related to a series of sexual assaults on women in Ann Arbor this summer, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The student told police she was walking alone near the east side of Ford Hall on the EMU campus about 7:50 p.m. when she noticed someone had been following her. The man then approached her from behind and grabbed her around her upper body. She said was able to break free and ran. The man fled on foot, but she did not see which direction he went. The student was not injured.
The woman described her attacker as black with a medium complexion. He is believed to be 16 - 20 years old, 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 9 inches tall and was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the EMU Police Department at 734-487-1222.
Seven women walking alone were attacked in Ann Arbor between July 15 and Sept. 13. Two were raped, three were groped and two were grabbed. Six of the attacks happened downtown - one in a parking structure - while the seventh was on the edge of downtown bordering the Old West Side.
Comments
Martin Church
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
related or not, it is time we reclaim the streets. My daughter attends eastern and I want to know she can walk around the campus and not worry. If to make this happen us citizens of Ypsilanti have to start walking the streets to keep these criminals out then I will. But I also want to know more info about this criminal so when I meet him on the street I can turn him over to the authorities. and since this is a local paper, how about putting a reporter on the story and get us the full story. Stop relying on the free press for local coverage.
RJA
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
I'm not surprised that these attacks are not related. (there are just to many offenders out there) And many women/girls just not taking the precautions they must to protect themselves. I realize we have the (right) to walk anywhere, anytime of the day or night, but it is just not safe in todays world.
SW40
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.
I realize that this article was originally written by the Free Press but shame on AA.com for running it here and playing the fear game. What was your first hint that they weren't related, was it that one suspect is white and the other black or did you figure he perhaps he's a chameleon and has the ability to change color. Is this newspaper so hard up for readership that its only hope is sensationalizing headlines in order to grab attention. How about everytime anyone is assaulted anywhere in Washtenaw County we try and connect it to a serial rapist in Ann Arbor to drum up more fear and anxiety. Good Job AA.Com, once again you've managed to achieve the low standard you've set for yourself. Disgusting.
Barb
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
Really? You don't think people will ask that question on their own? What the heck is wrong with stating a fact right up front in the headline? Seems fair to me.