Two Syracuse University students reported off-campus sexual offenses on the 700 block of South Crouse Ave. and Euclid Ave., respectively, early Sunday morning, police said.

The incidents occurred between around 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Both students reported being “forcibly” touched in their private area, according to a Department of Public Safety release.

The first student reported that a man grabbed her from behind while she was walking on the 700 block of South Crouse Ave. around 1 a.m. The suspect pulled her to the sidewalk along the north side of Bruegger’s Bagels and attempted to kiss her, according to the release, and when the student refused, the suspect forcibly placed his hand down the front of her pants and touched her private area.

The suspect fled on foot east on Marshall Street when another student approached the area and pulled the victim away from the suspect, according to the release.

The suspect was described as a male who looked about 25 years old, was about 5’9” tall, had shoulder-length, dark hair and was wearing dark clothing, according to the release. No further description was provided.

A second attack occurred when another student was walking alone on the 700 block of Euclid Ave. around 1:30 a.m. The student reported that she was also approached from behind by an man and pulled behind a hedge of bushes, where the suspect forcibly touched her private area through her clothing, according to the release. The suspect then turned the student around, exposing himself to her, and struck the student with his elbow, giving her a black eye and a bloody lip, according to the release.

The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction after a struggle with the student, during which the student kicked the suspect in the groin, causing him to let her go, according to the release.

The suspect was described as a male who looked like he was in his mid-30s, was about 5’10” tall and was wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, according to the release. No further description was provided.

Published on October 26, 2015 at 12:27 pm

Contact Alexa: atorrens@syr.edu