Student raped in North Campus attack

Two males forcibly took an undergraduate student from the Lake LaSalle parking lot on Monday, Dec. 5 at approximately 5 p.m. The student was taken to a remote on-campus location where she was sexually assaulted.

According to UB Police Chief Gerald Schoenle, the victim reported being forcibly pushed into a car by the assailants.

"The car was driven to a location that we think might have been a gravel parking lot close to the (Newman) chapel," Schoenle said. "She was (then) sexually assaulted by the passenger in the vehicle."

The attack happened during a very short window of time, Schoenle said. University Police estimate that the attack began at approximately 4:55 p.m. and ceased when the victim was returned to the Lake LaSalle lot at approximately 5:10 p.m. The victim then called the University Police from her cell phone.

At this time, there are no named suspects.

"We do have a good description of the driver as a white male with brown hair, side burns and a hoop earring in his right ear," Schoenle said. "We don't have a good description of the passenger because he was wearing a black ski mask and gloves."

According to the victim, the car she was taken in was a full-size, four-door gray vehicle with a large amount of rust over the right passenger wheel well.

"There was apparently a UB hang tag in the car," Schoenle said. "We don't know if it was a UB student, faculty member or staff member, or even if it was a current UB hang tag that she noticed in the car."

According to Schoenle, the victim was alone when she was taken, and he recommends that everyone take precautions to remain safe on and off campus.

"We always recommend students be cognizant of their surroundings and to call the University Police if they're suspicious of something," Schoenle said. "Walk in lighted paths, and walk with a friend as much as possible. We also encourage students to use the services of the Anti-Rape Task Force."

Schoenle said that at this time there does not seem to be a correlation between this attack and the attack that occurred at the Sweet Home Apartment Complex in the spring. There is also no connection to the previous robbery that occurred near the same location.

"That was a random robbery incident, and the individual is still in jail," Schoenle said.