Woman Raped, Beaten, Robbed at UTC Apartment Complex: Police [UPDATED]

SAN DIEGO, CA — A woman who was allegedly robbed, beaten and raped Saturday at her University Town Center apartment remained hospitalized Monday, and police are pleading for the public's help to identify her attacker.

According to Lt. Paul Phillips of the San Diego Police Department, the "particularly violent" incident began at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday when the victim was returning from a beach barbecue and was walking through the parking structure of the Venetian Apartments, 3929 Nobel Drive, toward her residence when she noticed she was being followed by a man she did not know.

The lieutenant said the suspect continued following her to her apartment, and as she unlocked her door, he knocked her to the ground.

"He then displayed a black handgun and told the victim to give him her money," Phillips said. "The victim complied. The suspect began to choke the victim and he forced her into her apartment. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim prior to fleeing in an unknown direction."

The suspect is described as a 25- to 30-year-old black man between 5 feet 9 and 5 feet 11 inches tall who weighs about 180 pounds and has a medium or athletic bid. He has short black hair and a short black beard — or was unshaven — and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt that possibly zipped up the front, gray shorts with red stripes on the sides and black athletic shoes. He was also carrying black backpack, according to police.

Phillips told reporters during a news conference Monday afternoon that the apartments are in a "historically safe area" and that the victim, who is in her 20s, did nothing to bring the attack on herself. She was walking in a "well-lit area, using a direct route to her apartment that she has taken many times," he said.

When she arrived at her apartment, she thought she could quickly get in the door and lock it behind her, but the suspect reportedly pushed his way in by choking her, Phillips said. The suspect beat her severely and forcefully sexually assaulted her, the lieutenant said, with her injuries including facial fractures.

"We have had a tough time interviewing the victim at times, she was beaten so severely," Phillips said. "... We want to catch this guy."

Phillips pleaded with residents of the Venetian Apartments to think back to the hours before and after the attack — 10:30 p.m. Saturday — in the event they may recall seeing someone fit the suspect's description getting in or out of a vehicle or walking in the area.

He urged anyone with information about the suspect or the incident to call the San Diego Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit at 619-531-2210. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call the San Diego County Crime Stoppers tip line at 888-580-8477.

"Please give us a call; we need your help," Phillips said.