Suspect on loose after sex assault near Arizona State University campus

PHOENIX — Authorities are searching for a suspect accused of sexually assaulting a victim near Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus this week.

Sgt. Tommy Thompson with the Phoenix Police Department said the assault occurred in the area of Central Avenue and Van Buren Street between 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Thompson said the woman, who was described as being in her 50s, was struck in the head and fell unconscious after being approached by the male suspect.

She woke up several hours later and found she was sexually assaulted. Her cell phone and other personal items also had been stolen.

Thompson said it is unknown exactly where the assault occurred. University police said in an alert the assault occurred in an outdoor stairwell of an unidentified building.

One of the woman’s credit cards was found in the area of Central Avenue and Taylor Street.

There is no further information to link the incident to the university, other than the proximity to the campus. The suspect was not known to the victim.

Phoenix police did not have a suspect description, but university police said the man was between 30 and 40 years old, bald and was wearing a light blue sweatshirt, purple T-shirt, jeans and a hat.

Anyone with information about the alleged assault is encouraged to call the department at 602-262-6141 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.

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