Woman Assaulted In Latest Attack Near Oakland's Lake Merritt
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - The Oakland Police Department urged residents to take precautions after receiving reports of an attempted assault on Tuesday, the latest in a string of sexually-related assaults near Lake Merritt.
A woman was returning to her home on Tuesday, located in the 1400 block of Third Avenue, when she noticed that a stranger was following her, police said.
Officers said that, when she arrived at her residence, the stranger forced his way through the gate, demanded that she take off her clothing and then fled on foot.
Police described the suspect as a black man, approximately six feet tall with a medium complexion and dark clothing.
The attack was the latest in a string of attacks on women near Lake Merritt. Last September, two women were robbed and sexually assaulted in separate attacks, one of the attacks occurring on the same block as Tuesday's attack. Police released a sketch of a suspect in those attacks.
In February, a woman was beaten and sexually assaulted at an apartment complex on the 800 block of Jackson St. near Lake Merritt. In January, another woman was sexually assaulted and robbed near the lake. In both instances, the women were also arriving home as they were attacked.
The Oakland Police Department reminded residents to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid becoming distracted by electronic devices, to stay in well-lit and populated areas, to be especially alert when entering or exiting their vehicles and to notify police of any suspicious activity.
The Oakland Police Department's special victim's unit is investigating the case.
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