Crime & Safety

Authorities Looking For Assault, Attempted Rape Suspect

The man allegedly punched and tried to sexually assault a University Place woman at her apartment complex parking lot July 11.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department looking for a man who allegedly assaulted and attempted to rape a University Place woman in her apartment July 11.

According to authorities, a woman heard someone tapping on the glass sliding door of her first-floor apartment on 70th Avenue West shortly after 11 p.m.

“The woman looked through the glass door and saw an unidentified man standing outside with his hand down his pants,” according to CrimeStoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County. “The woman locked the door and called 911, and the suspect walked away.”

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Minutes later, the same man approached another woman in the complex’s parking lot. He allegedly “ran up to her, reached in his pants and exposed himself,” according to authorities.

He then grabbed the victim and punched her in the face, temporarily knocking her unconscious. When she woke up, the man was allegedly laying on the woman and groping her. He quickly ran away heading south.

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The man is described as a black male in his early 20’s, weighs about 150 pounds with a thin mustache. During the assault he was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Authorities ask that anyone with information about the case call 253-591-5959. If the information leads to the arrest and charges filed against a person in the case, callers will receive up to $1,000. All callers will remain anonymous.


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