Missing woman sparks concern after series of attacks at Cal State San Bernardino

Authorities are concerned about the disappearance of a 22-year-old woman after a recent string of attacks near California State University San Bernardino.

Sahray Astina Barber was last seen about 6 a.m. Monday in the 1500 block of West Northpark Boulevard on her way to work, according to the San Bernardino Police Department.

She never arrived to work and her whereabouts are unknown.

Investigators found her belongings in bushes in front of her home, Police Lt. Rich Lawhead said.

“We are concerned, which has led us to take some more aggressive steps,” he said.

Barber’s family told police the disappearance is “very uncharacteristic of her.” They said she was capable of taking care of herself and has taken martial arts classes in the past.

Barber is 5 feet 8, 125 pounds and has long red and brown straight hair and green eyes.

Police don’t suspect foul play, but are concerned after a kidnapping attempt that occurred Sunday on the university campus, Lawhead said.

University police reported that a man approached a woman from behind about 3 p.m. near the John M. Pfau Library, put his hand over her mouth, squeezed her mouth shut and said, “Come on, let’s go for a ride in my car.”

She elbowed the man, who then released her and ran away.

It was the fourth violent attack on the campus in two weeks.

On Wednesday, a woman fought a man who tried to sexually assault her inside the Pfau Library. Police said they don’t know whether that attack was related to the attempted kidnapping on Sunday.

On Thursday, a man robbed a student’s iPhone in the school parking lot, police said.

A student was kidnapped and robbed on Feb. 23 by a gunman who was ultimately arrested, police said.

Anyone with information about Barber’s whereabouts is urged to call Det. Dan Han at (909) 384-5623 or the Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at (909) 384-5615.

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