Aug 13, 2008 5:37 pm US/Mountain
Police: Rape Suspect Uses 'Fluid-Soaked Cloth'
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Police in Fort Collins are looking for an assault suspect they believe may be connected to a previous assault.
A student at Colorado State University awoke Tuesday morning to find a man trying to put a fluid-soaked cloth over her face. She struggled and the man got away.
"She woke up to find a man trying to put a cloth over her mouth and she struggled with him and was successful in keeping him at bay," Rita Davis with Fort Collins police said. "He left and fled on foot then she contacted police.
It happened in the 1000 block of Andrews Peak Drive. That's where another student was attacked in April while sleeping. A cloth was also placed over that person's mouth and nose. An investigation revealed she was sexually assaulted.
"When she woke up, she thought that she had a bad dream and it took her a while to figure out something had happened," Davis said of the April victim. "
Police said they are not sure what chemical, if any, was being used on the cloth.
CSU student Andrea Lay, who lives in the same neighborhood, said she and her roommates have been diligent about locking their doors and windows. She said somebody broke into her unit last year through a basement window.
Student Peter Jennings said just about everyone in the neighborhood is being more careful.
"It's really nerve-racking, honestly. This is a college neighborhood, it's a nice area; pretty close to campus and I feel pretty safe in my own place, but now I've been having to lock my doors and being extra cautious," Jennings said.
There is a limited description of the suspect. He's said to be 6 feet tall and wears dark clothes.
CBS4's Raj Chohan spoke with the woman who was attacked Tuesday. He said she was very upset and in the process of moving out.
Anyone with information is asked to call Fort Collins police.
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