Sketches released of suspect in assaults on women near WWU campus
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Police are warning neighbors and students around Western Washington University to be on alert after a string of sexual assaults targeting women.
Two of the attacks happened early Wednesday morning. None of the women has been hurt during the incidents but police said the man held a woman at knifepoint in the latest attack.
“She described it as a Swiss Army type of knife, and he pressed the point up against her neck,” said Lt. Bob Vander Yacht with the Bellingham Police Department.
Investigators said all of the assaults were sexually motivated. The man either approaches his victims on a bicycle or he jumps out at them from the bushes. Police worry this suspect could escalate his assaults.
Bellingham police released sketches of the suspect late Wednesday night.
The first incident happened Friday at 3 a.m. at East Holly and North Garden Streets.
And then again twice early Wednesday morning; first along East Chestnut Street and then again on North Garden closer to the WWU campus.
In each instance, the women were able to fight off their attacker and run to safety.
Police describe the suspect as a white man between 20 to 30 years old, standing 6-foot tall. He's has a long, dark beard and curly, shaggy dark hair. He was last seen wearing a beanie, a brown button-up shirt, blue jeans and a small backpack.
The WWU campus sent out text messages alerting students to the recent attacks.
But for women like Danielle Tolar, she’s taking her security into her own hands.
“I’ve got my concealed weapons permit and I’m not afraid to say it,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a bad idea for a lot of women.”
Police said women should be especially vigilant about their surroundings and report anything suspicious by calling 911.