A woman sitting in her car near San Diego State University (SDSU) was assaulted by a man who opened her front passenger door and jumped into her car.
According to police, the incident occurred as the woman was preparing to leave the area around noon on Wednesday. She had been parked on Montezuma Road, near the campus.
Investigators said the suspect got into the woman's car and allegedly began touching her inappropriately.
The suspect fled when pedestrians nearby were approaching the parked car. He was last seen running westbound on Montezuma Road towards University Towers.
Students at SDSU were warned of the incident via an email alert on Friday. Many were shocked by the brazen crime.
Local
"It was very shocking because I didn't even think that that could even happen here. Because I never thought that the campus could be so unsafe," freshman Tiffany Nguyen said.
The victim received minor injuries from the suspect. She is a non-SDSU student.
The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) is calling the incident assault with the intent to rape.
The section of Montezuma Road where this happened is busy and lined with dorms, fraternity houses and off campus apartments. Most students feel safe there --but not all.
"It can definitely be sketchy. I have seen some homeless people. It is like a really busy street too. I mean it's not like the safest street," freshman Emma Bock said.
Police said the suspect is described as a man in his 40s, standing around 6 feet tall. He has wavy brown hair and a full beard with grey in it. He was wearing a black T-shirt with white writing on it.
SDPD is asking anyone with information to contact the department at (619) 531-2000 or by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
