Somerville Police Warn of Sexual Assaults, Release Sketch of Suspect

The Somerville Police Department Tuesday released the sketch of a suspect who may have committed sexual assaults in the areas around Union and Porter squares over the past three months.

According to police, there have been three indecent assaults in the area since Nov. 18, but two of the assaults happened in January. The most recent occurred on Sunday in Union Square.

Below is the full announcement from the Somerville Police Department.

Police ask that anyone with information about the assaults contact the police department at (617) 625-1600 ext. 7237 or (617) 625-1600 ext. 7220. You can make an anonymous tip by texting it to "TIP411" ( 847411 ) and putting "617spd" at the beginning of your text. Find more information below.

Here's the announcement from the Somerville Police Department: 

Over the past three months, there have been three assaults on women in Somerville in the Union and Porter Square areas after dark in the evening hours and early nighttime. The Somerville Police Department is working to identify and apprehend the suspects as quickly as possible, and we wish to alert residents, especially women, to take safety precautions.

On Sunday, January 12, 2014, a 45-year-old female was indecently assaulted on Hawkins St. near Somerville Avenue in the Union Square area.  The suspect is described as a white Hispanic male, 25 to 30 years of age, approximately 5’ 06” tall, with a medium build and brown eyes.  This suspect was wearing a black zip-up sweater, a beanie cap with ear flaps, black tennis shoes, jeans and he was carrying a gray back pack.

On Thursday, January 2, 2014, a 28-year-old female was indecently assaulted while walking on Porter St. between Summer St. and Highland Ave in the Porter Square area.  The suspect is described as a white male, 20 to 30 years of age, 5’-09” to 5’-10” tall, with a thin-athletic build,  and clean shaven.  The suspect was wearing a red ski jacket with black under the armpits and dark pants.  The suspect fled from Porter St. down Francis St. to Conwell St.

This description closely resembles that of a suspect who committed a similar offense on Porter St. near Elm Street in the Porter Square area on November 18, 2013. Whether or not one suspect is responsible for both incidents remains under investigation.

The Somerville Police would like to encourage everyone, especially women, to take precautions while walking at night.  Do not wear ear buds while walking, avoid poorly lit areas, be aware of your surroundings, and if possible do not walk alone.  Keep your cell phone handy, so you can make a call to police quickly. If you are approached by a man you do not know, call 911 right away.  

Any citizen with information regarding any of these assaults is asked to contact Sgt. Richard Lavey at the Somerville Police Department Family Services Unit at (617) 625-1600 ext. 7237 or the Somerville Police Criminal Investigation Division, (617) 625-1600 ext. 7220. Anonymous tips may also be texted to the phone number "TIP411" ( 847411 ); then put "617spd" at the beginning of your text message.

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