2 UCLA students attacked in incidents near campus
UCLA police are investigating two early morning aggravated assaults last week on women near the Westwood campus, one on the street and one in an apartment building. The victims, both students, escaped unharmed.
About 4 a.m. Friday, a woman reported being struck on the head and grabbed from behind on Gayley Avenue, just east of Kelton Avenue, campus police said. The student fended off the attacker and ran; she did not see the person.
Another assault occurred May 15 in a nearby apartment building. UCLA police spokeswoman Nancy Greenstein said authorities believe the incidents are unrelated.
In the earlier incident, police said, a Latino man approached the student as she entered the lobby of her apartment building in the 600 block of Kelton about 2:30 a.m. As the victim waited for the elevator, the man grabbed her from behind in a chokehold.
Police said that the woman screamed and the attacker pushed her head against a wall before fleeing.
The man was in his mid-20s, about 5-foot-7, with a dark reddish complexion, a pot belly and short brown hair that was slightly spiked. A composite is posted on the UCLA police website.
The women were not robbed and the motive for the assaults is unknown, police said.
Although the assaults occurred off campus, both UCLA police and the Los Angeles Police Department provide law enforcement services to neighborhoods near the university, said UCLA watch commander Mark Littlestone.
Extra patrols have been added in the area, authorities said.
Greenstein said more students are requesting escorts for those walking alone at night.
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call Det. Terry Brown at (310) 825-1491 or the anonymous tip line, (310) 794-5824.
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