*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Contact:  Officer Joe Okies  #71

                 BPD Public Information Officer

                 (510) 981- 5752  

  Woman Sexually Assaulted and Raped at Gunpoint

Berkeley, California (Tuesday February 15^th 2005) – On Friday February 11^th, just before 7 o’clock in the morning, a 29 year old woman was the victim of a sexual assault and rape in the area of Delaware and San Pablo. 

The victim was walking on Delaware street when she was confronted by a suspect armed with a handgun.  The suspect forced the victim at gunpoint to a secluded area where he sexually assaulted and raped her. 

The suspect is described as:
A black male between 20 and 30 years of age approximately 6’1” tall 170 lbs.  The suspect was wearing  a black ski mask, a black nylon puffy jacket with a hood and dark  pants.

A similarly described suspect was involved in a battery with sexual overtones on February 7^th in the 1900 Block of Francisco.  In this case the suspect grabbed a female as she attempted to enter her residence.  The victim in this case was able to provide investigators with the above sketch.  Based on the facts associated with these cases investigators believe these two events are related and involve the same suspect. 

The Berkeley Police Department has taken several steps to respond to this crime.  In addition to the active investigation, beat officers are actively looking for this suspect, and supplemental officers have been assigned to this area.  Additionally, the Berkeley Police Department will be hosting a community meeting relating to these crimes on Thursday February 24^th at the West Berkeley Senior Center located at 1900 6^th Street.  The meeting will begin at 7PM.