Campus & Community

Advisory update on indecent assaults, batteries

3 min read

On Feb. 12, a female undergraduate student reported to the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) that she was the victim of an indecent assault and


For updates and related information


battery at approximately 5:35 p.m. while walking near 125 Mt. Auburn St. The victim stated that a male approached her from behind on a bicycle, and then groped her as he rode by.

The victim described the suspect as a heavyset white male with a dark complexion, black hair, in his mid-30s, wearing a gray ski jacket, light blue jeans, knit cap, and riding a 1950s style bicycle with wide handlebars.

This is the third report of a female student being groped since Feb. 6. The first two incidents occurred on Feb. 6, but were reported on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10. The first incident occurred on Holyoke Street and the second occurred in Harvard Yard.


Safety tips

Maps of the new designated pathways are available at http://www.hupd.harvard.edu/designated_safety_pathways.pdf and will soon be posted in all shuttle buses.

Shuttle buses will now run from 12:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. At 3 a.m. a van will continue service until 7 a.m. (9:30 a.m. on weekends). From 3 a.m. the van will run on a fixed route: Memorial Hall, Lamont Library, River Houses, Johnston Gate, and the Quad Area. However, the vans will drop people off at desired locations within the service boundary. The vans may be summoned 24/7, and the call will be answered by a live person. The number is (617) 495-0400.

Specific shuttle departure times are posted at all house offices, libraries, dining halls, and on the Transportation Services Web site.


This latest incident and the Holyoke Street incident are being investigated by CPD, while the Harvard Yard incident is being investigated by the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD). Both departments are working aggressively to find the person(s) responsible for these three incidents.

In response to these incidents and previous incidents, HUPD has dramatically increased the number of both uniform and plainclothes officers on duty during the night and evening. The department is using the additional staff to increase its patrols of paths and high-traffic areas that students frequently use after sunset.

If at any time you observe any suspicious activity, please notify the HUPD at (617) 495-1212. Additionally, the department strongly encourages victims to report incidents as soon as possible after they occur. If anyone has any information regarding these incidents, please contact the CPD, Criminal Investigation Division, at (617) 349-3370.