Indecent assault and battery reported to HUPD

On Tuesday (Oct. 5) at approximately 3 p.m., a female student reported to the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) that she was the victim of an indecent assault and battery while walking on Harvard Street near Pennypacker Hall. The victim stated that she was approached from behind by a male riding a bicycle who inappropriately touched her before fleeing the area.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 18 to 20 years of age, dark hair cut in a “buzz cut,” wearing a blue and white striped long sleeve shirt, riding a “short” bicycle.

At the present time there is no indication that this incident is related to the indecent assault and battery incidents on September 21 and 22 or the incidents that occurred in fall 2003 and winter 2004.

This incident is being investigated by the Cambridge Police Department. Both the Cambridge Police Department and the Harvard University Police Department are working aggressively to find the person responsible for this incident and will continue to deploy both uniformed and plainclothes officers to patrol areas that students frequently use.

HUPD reminds community members to be vigilant while walking through and around campus both during the day and at night, and to take appropriate precautions such as walking with others, traveling along the designated pathways (http://www.hupd.harvard.edu/designated_safety_pathways.pdf), and utilizing Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP), the shuttle buses, and evening van service whenever possible. The hours of operation for HUCEP are 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Sunday through Wednesday, and 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.

For more information on shuttle buses and evening van service, please visit the University’s Transportation Services Web site at http://www.uos.harvard.edu/transportation/shu.shtml or call (617) 495-0400. The Harvard University Police Department (617) 495-1212 will assist with transportation whenever appropriate.