University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 18, Feb. 6, 1997
UD Police release composite sketch of assault suspect

     University Police released a composite sketch Feb. 4 of the
suspect in a sexual assault that took place near the Newark
campus on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The drawing, which was made from
the victim's description, is being posted and circulated
throughout the community.
     On Jan. 29, at approximately 5:50 p.m., the woman was
accosted by a man who was near an opening in a hedgerow on the
north side of Frazer Field. As she passed through the opening,
the suspect called to her and when she turned to face him, she
saw that he was holding a knife. As she turned to run away, he
caught her from behind and pulled her into the hedges and
sexually assaulted her. The suspect then fled over the CSX
railroad tracks in the direction of Cleveland Avenue.
     The assailant is described as a black male in his 20s,
approximately 6 feet tall with muscular build. He was wearing a
black jacket with gold markings, a black baseball cap turned
backwards, and dark, baggy trousers.
     The victim also has reported to the police that, as she was
approaching the CSX tracks just before the attack, she passed a
male who was walking northbound and had crossed the tracks just
before she did, going in the opposite direction. University
Police are attempting to identify this person as a potential
witness to the suspect who may have been on Frazer Field a few
seconds before, when he took the short-cut through the hedgerow.
This potential witness is described as a white male with brown
hair, wearing a blue quilted nylon jacket. He had the appearance
of being a college student.
     Anyone with possible information as to the identity of the
suspect or the potential witness is asked to contact the
University of Delaware Police at 831-2222.
     UD Police have cautioned all members of the campus community
to walk with other persons whenever possible, to make use of the
campus transit system or call 831-2222 for Public Safety's walk-
along escort service. If walking alone cannot be avoided, stay on
well-traveled and well-lit sidewalks or pathways.