TUCSON, AZ – A series of unsettling incidents involving female students of the University of Arizona has sparked a citywide manhunt. Over the past week, three women have reported being stalked, groped, and nearly kidnapped within a mile radius of each other, according to Tucson law enforcement.
The suspect, still at large, is described as a heavy-set Hispanic man with a dark complexion and buzz-cut hair, standing between 5-feet, 10-inches to 6-feet tall. His last known outfit was an orange shirt and jeans.
The most recent incident occurred late Monday night. The victim was grabbed from behind and inappropriately touched over her clothing, shared Assistant Police Chief Christopher Dennison at a Wednesday press briefing. The woman managed to escape by dropping to the ground and screaming, causing the suspect to flee.
Prior to Monday’s encounter, two other women reported similar experiences. They described being followed by a man in a dark-colored car, possibly an early 2000s Toyota Camry or Corolla, notable for its dented front bumper, tinted windows, and a faded or flaking Arizona license plate.
On December 6 and 7, these women reported being grabbed from behind by a man who fled when they screamed. All three incidents occurred near the University of Arizona campus, with no physical harm reported to the victims.
In response to these incidents, university officials have increased security measures on campus. “UAPD is enhancing its patrol capabilities to provide a higher level of visibility and engagement,” stated University of Arizona Police Department Police Chief Chris Olson.
Assistant Police Chief Dennison urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. Multiple agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, University of Arizona Police Department, and Oro Valley Police Department, are assisting in the ongoing investigation.