New Brunswick Police Investigating Off-Campus Sex Assault

Police are searching for the attacker who followed a female into a New Brunswick backyard and sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

The victim, who is affiliated with Rutgers, was walking near Richardson and Wyckoff Streets around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, according to New Brunswick and Rutgers police.

A male, who was walking behind her, tried to engage her in conversation, then followed her into a backyard and “committed an act of sexual assault with his hand,” according to a news release from City Police Capt. J.T. Miller.

That male then fled toward Easton Avenue. No weapons were displayed.

The victim was treated at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in the city and released.

The news release said the description of the male is limited. He was described as a black male, who wore tan shorts and a dark colored shirt with white dots, police said.

In a Facebook post, Richard L. Edwards, the Chancellor of Rutgers-New Brunswick, said city and university police will have additional visible patrols in the city’s 5th and 6th wards. He also said:

“In addition, the RUPD and NBPD have partnered to form neighborhood patrol teams, which consist of a police officer from each department patrolling the 5th and 6th wards. This allows for real-time intelligence and for police patrols dedicated to off-campus areas densely populated by members of the Rutgers community.”

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Rutgers police are reminding students to:

• “(Remain) alert and aware of the people and circumstances around you;
• Avoid isolated or dark areas;
• Immediately report suspicious activity to local law enforcement; and
• (Walk) in groups when traveling during late night hours.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call New Brunswick Detective Drew Weiss at (732) 745-5217.