*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Contact:  Officer Kevin Schofield #91

                 BPD Public Information Officer

                 (510) 981- 5752

Victims Needed To Come Forward 

After Two Sexual Battery Incidents

Berkeley, CA. (Tuesday, April 13, 2004) – In recent weeks, the Berkeley Police Department has received reports of at least two sexual batteries occurring on city streets near the U.C. Berkeley campus. 

• The first occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on April 2, 2004 near Bancroft Way and Fulton Street.  
• The second occurred at about 4:00 a.m. on April 9, 2004 near Bancroft Way and Piedmont Avenue.

The victims were college-age women and assaulted by a stranger described as a:

Black Male Adult, Late 30’s,  6’02” / 230lbs,

with “salt & pepper” hair and beard.

The suspect appears to be escalating the aggression of his assaults.  Based upon witness statements, the suspect inflicted minor injuries on at least one victim.

A suspect has tentatively been identified by the Berkeley Police Department.  However, because no victim has come forward, no arrest can be made in these cases.

BPD Sex Crimes Detective Keith DeBlasi states, “To prevent further and possibly more serious assaults by this person, it is critical that if you or anyone you know has information about these or similar cases, contact the Berkeley Police immediately.“

Contact BPD Sex Crimes Detail at 510-981-5735, or e-mail any tips to police@ci.berkeley.ca.us.  Refer to case #04-19966. You may remain anonymous.

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