Man rapes, abandons student off campus

Prince George's County Police investigators are looking for a man who raped a student and left her stranded on a highway early Saturday morning after picking her up in his car.

The 21-year-old victim was walking at the corner of Yale Avenue and College Avenue on the way back to her residence at about 2:30 a.m. when a man offered her a ride in his vehicle, police said. She accepted the offer, but instead of driving her home, the man took her to an unknown location and raped her.

Afterward, the man dropped her off on the eastbound side of Route 50 in Anne Arundel County near Davidsonville Road, almost 10 miles east of College Park.

The victim was able to get the attention of an off-duty police officer and was taken to a hospital, said Daniel Lipsey, assistant commander of District 1.

"We're working out the details, but it's going to take some time," Lipsey said. "Obviously the victim was very traumatized, so we're in the process of interviewing her again and seeing if she can call up more details. We're taking our time, trying to use care and compassion while still trying to accomplish our mission."

Police describe the rapist as an olive-skinned, possibly Hispanic man between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-8 and wearing a white, hooded sweatshirt. The vehicle is either a dark-colored pickup truck or an SUV, but because of poor lighting, the victim was not sure. The man was a stranger to the victim.

Lipsey said county police officers were handing out fliers with University Police to generate tips. So far, investigators have been able to get limited details, but Lipsey hopes witnesses may still come forward.

"We're looking for anyone who saw a dark SUV that night that seemed suspicious or didn't strike them right," he said. "It's possible the suspect tried to pick someone else up before, so if anyone thinks they saw anything, we want to know. We're working on this case around the clock."

Lipsey said students can help pre-empt assaults and crime in general by staying in groups and scrutinizing strangers who are getting too close.

The case is the first reported rape that has merited a crime alert this year, but there have been five reported sexual assaults in the last six months. On several occasions, female students living off the campus reported a man climbing into their bed and touching them inappropriately.

Some students are growing increasingly cautious about heading into certain areas late at night, they said.

Freshman biology major Antonia Neal said she doesn't wander Fraternity Row or Knox Towers at night, and ever since the exposure at McKeldin Library in October, she has been careful to study in groups.

"You don't want to walk around certain places by yourself," she said.

Freshman women's studies major Samantha Henry said the threat of sexual assault is something she discusses with her friends, and she tries to take steps to protect herself.

"As women, we have to be aware that it's possible, but you can't live in fear," Henry said. "Know who you're with and be aware of your surroundings."

Prince George's County Police ask anyone who can come forward with information about the incident to call the Crime Solver's tip line at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

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