West Chester University students are dealing with a rash of sexual assaults after a fifth attack was reported in less than one month.
The school’s Department of Public Safety issued a timely warning after another student told authorities she was assaulted while walking on-campus around 12:30 a.m. Friday.
The suspect, who appeared intoxicated, approached the victim from behind as she was walking between Goshen Hall and Tyson Hall, according to the alert. He grabbed her buttocks, but fled when the victim threatened to use a defensive spray.
The incident occurred two days after another student told authorities a man in his fifties or sixties touched her inappropriately while she studied in the library. An arrest has been made in that case, according to a Department of Public Safety official.
More than 15,00 graduate and undergraduate students attend the public university, which is located in a typically quiet Chester County suburb about 25 miles west of Philadelphia.
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Authorities are still searching for suspects in three other assaults that occurred between March 30 and April 19.
Offiicals say the incidents do not appear to be connected. Anyone with information about any of the crimes is asked to call the University’s Department of Public Safety at 610-436-3311.
