Crime Alert - Assault, Highland Ave @ Cherry Street

[ron_newman]

The increasing frequency of these attacks is very unsettling. From today's robo-call and e-mail:
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This is Deputy Chief Paul Upton of the Somerville Police with an important public safety message for residents in your area.

At about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 17th, a 22 year old woman was assaulted on Highland Avenue near Cherry Street as she walked from Porter Square.

The victim reported that she was grabbed from behind: she screamed and resisted, apparently scaring off the suspect, who then fled on foot along Highland Avenue toward Davis Square.

This incident is similar to others that have occurred in this area. Police have increased patrols of both marked and unmarked cars in this area and have mounted an interagency effort to identify and apprehend this suspect.

The suspect, who was wearing a knit ski mask, is believed to be a male, possibly with a muscular build, about 5’ 5” to 5’ 8” inches tall, wearing all dark clothing. Anyone who has information about this incident is urged to contact Somerville Police at 617-625-1212, or text SPD617 to Tip411.

As always, all residents, especially women, should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings when walking after dark. For your safety, try to remain on well-lit routes and avoid wearing headphones or ear buds. Keep your cell phone handy but avoid distracting calls. If you suspect you are being followed, head for a store or building that you know to be open. If you feel uncomfortable about someone near you, head for a populated area and call 911 immediately.

Thank you.

Comments

[enveri.livejournal.com]

This was just reported on NPR, too.

[lfitzb.livejournal.com]

Local NPR station?

[enveri.livejournal.com]

WBUR, so yes

[ron_newman]

really? why is this a national news story?

[enveri.livejournal.com]

No idea. It was reported as the newest in a 'rash of attacks' with the cautionary of women taking extra care, and the usual 'If you have any information, please contact Somerville police'

I was only half paying attention til they mentioned Porter Square specifically.

[lfitzb.livejournal.com]

I dont' think it was a national news story - I think it was from the local NPR news desk...they do one after the hourly national news update I believe.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking it might be time to get myself the special FID so I can carry peppery spray. Maybe then the cops can catch this guy already. (although I might be too old for him anyway)

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

Maybe I watch too many detective shows, but all of these incidents seem to be a bit odd.

1. The suspect in question is sometimes described differently by different women. It may be more than 1 guy.
2. They all occur in somewhat non-secluded areas. If the end goal of this person was to rape, there are better secluded areas of doing so, and this person would have done it already.

From the Somerville Patch - On Sept. 10, a 25-year-old woman was indecently assaulted on Wallace Street, near Davis Square. On Oct. 2, a 28-year-old woman was indecently assaulted on Orchard Street, also around Davis Square. On Oct. 20, a 23-year-old woman was assaulted near Holyoke Road and Elm Street, near Porter Square, and on Oct, 22 a Tufts University student was attacked near the Tufts campus.

In my opinion, it's probably something like a fraternity initiation process and not some hyper-sexual nutjob.

[ceo]

If there's a frat out there with this as their initiation ritual, they need to be shut down hard. I really doubt that this is the case.

[lfitzb.livejournal.com]

There are definitely people out there that get off on groping and running - it doesn't matter if it does not end in rape it's an breach of security, privacy and still an attack. Assault.

So. In my opinion this is not to be dismissed and defintiely not a frat prank.