Female Student Attacked on Esplanade Saturday Night

State police are investigated a sexual assault on a female student that occurred along the Charles River Esplanade late Saturday night. 

The woman was sitting was sitting on a park bench near Mass Ave. at about 11:30 p.m., when a man is said to have engaged her in a lengthy conversation before assaulting her.

She was able to run away, and called Boston Police from a friend's house.

The suspect is described as a black male about 25 to 30 years old, 6’1” to 6’2”, about 230 lbs, with short hair and a missing front tooth. He was wearing black sweatpants and a green top.

Police are investigating whether the attack is tied to a series of unsolved but linked late-night sexual assaults along the Esplanade and South Boston that occurred between 2006 and 2009. In all four cases, victims described the assailant as a black male in his mid-20s to mid-30s, about 5’8” to 5’10” tall, with a medium to large build and a bald head.

Authorities recommend people travel in groups if they visit the Esplanade at night, stay alert, and don't talk to strangers. If threatened call 911.

Anyone with information on the prior assaults is urged to call the State Police Boston Barracks at 617-727-6780.