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A suspect accused of violently assaulting a number of feminine college students on the College of California, Los Angeles, was arrested — and located with zip ties, duct tape and cord, authorities mentioned.
The suspect was recognized as Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, a 29-year-old homeless man not affiliated with the college, the UCLA Police Division mentioned.
Campus police responded to a report of a theft round 11:35 p.m. Thursday, a scholar reported that the suspect approached her from behind and used bodily pressure to steal her cellphone.
As police started looking for the topic, they acquired studies of further assaults at a number of residential services on campus. The assaults occurred at De Neve Evergreen, Dykstra Corridor and Cedar Corridor, police mentioned.
In every occasion, Akindahunsi allegedly adopted or approached feminine college students, bodily assaulted them and tried to restrain or sexually assault them, police mentioned.
Simply after midnight Friday, officers acquired a report of an ongoing assault. A witness reported listening to a scholar crying out for assist. They then intervened and chased the topic right into a parking construction, the place police detained Akindahunsi.
A number of victims and witnesses recognized Akindahunsi because the suspect, and authorities mentioned they discovered zip ties, duct tape and paracord on him on the time of his arrest.
He was arrested on suspicion of theft, sexual battery, tried kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a intercourse offense.
He’s being held on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division Inmate Reception Middle. His bail was set to $2.3 million.
“I commend our officers for his or her fast response and wonderful work in finding and arresting the suspect,” mentioned UCLA Chief of Police Craig Valenzuela.
“I’m additionally grateful to the victims and witnesses who reported what occurred and assisted responding officers. Incidents like these are deeply regarding, and the security and safety of our campus neighborhood stays our highest precedence. Our officers will proceed working to assist guarantee UCLA stays a protected place to stay, study, work and go to.”
Whereas police mentioned there’s “no identified ongoing risk” to the general public, UCLA police will enhance patrols across the affected residential areas out of an abundance of warning.
