Police are asking for tips after three possibly related cases of attempted sexual assault were reported in the last three months.
The most recent reported attempted assault was April 5, when an unaccompanied woman was allegedly approached by an unidentified male on Slack Street near Longview Lane, who then knocked her to the ground and removed her underwear before she fought him off, according to a San Luis Obispo Police Department (SLOPD) press release.
The case is the third of its kind — where a male approaches a victim from behind and tries to remove their underwear — reported since early February, said University Police Department (UPD) chief Bill Watton.
Though police are not certain the suspect is the same, the cases are very similar, Watton said.
The first assault allegedly happened in the parking structure on Grand Avenue on campus, while the other two reportedly occurred off campus, Watton said.
The three reported attacks might not be the only ones that have happened, and police are looking for any other victims or anyone with knowledge of the incidents, Watton said.
“There may be others that have not been reported and we want to know that,” Watton said.
Police would protect the identities of victims who come forward, Watton said, and tips can be sent to calpoly@tipnow.org or UPD at 756-2281. UPD has already received at least one tip, and are following up on it, though tips don’t always bring results, Watton said.
In the meantime, people walking at night should stay in groups and be aware of their surroundings, Watton said.
“The campus really is very safe but these things can happen anywhere,” Watton said.