The suspect is described as being six-feet tall, about 140 pounds and 19 to 22 years old. The attacker has sideburns with other facial hair and was wearing a cap during both incident on campus.
Texas Tech police are investigating two separate on-campus assault cases which occurred in less than 48 hours of each other, said TTPD Lt. Amy Ivey.
Ivey said the cases are being investigated separately until police receive more information.
On Dec. 9, at about 6:47 p.m., a woman reported to police that a Hispanic male attempted to assault her while in the Wall/Gates Hall parking lot located near the 2800 block of 18th Street, according to a university email notification.
“The Texas Tech Police Department encourages campus residents to remain vigilant of their surroundings and to immediately report suspicious activity,” the email states.
The university email states the suspect – described as a Hispanic male, about six-feet tall and weighing 140 pounds – approached the woman by asking for directions shortly before the attack.
The victim fled her attacker and ran toward the Texas Tech University College of Education and escaped unharmed, according to the notification. The suspect is also reported to have dark hair and eyes, sideburns and other facial hair. He was described as wearing dark clothing, jeans, a baseball cap and possibly a hoodie during the incident.
In a separate, yet similar incident, police received a report of an attack that occurred on Dec. 8 just after 1 a.m. near the west side of Coleman Hall – 1800 block of Flint Avenue. According to the notification, a woman advised TTPD that she was forcibly fondled by a Hispanic man also described as thin, about six-feet tall and possibly 19 to 22 years old.
A photo of the suspect was included in the email notification sent to university students and faculty members. The attacker reportedly wore a dark long-sleeved shirt with light-colored shorts and a cap with a dark back and light-colored front during the Sunday morning incident.
On Tuesday, Chris Cook – managing director of Texas Tech’s Office of Communications & Marketing – released an updated photo in Sunday’s incident that shows the suspect’s vehicle as being a black, four-door passenger car.
“The Texas Tech Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, staff and visitors,” the initial Clery Act email states.
Anyone with knowledge of the attacker or his whereabouts are encouraged to contact campus Police at (806)743-2000, or the Crime Line at (806)741-1000. For immediate help, please do not hesitate to call 911.
About Reece Nations, Managing Editor
