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OPD Releases Video Still Shots of Assault Suspect
By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
The Oxford Police Department is still searching for a man who allegedly grabbed a female from behind while she was walking home last week, and has released pictures of the suspect garnered from video surveillance cameras.
According to OPD, the victim reported that she was grabbed from behind as she walked east on Van Buren Avenue by an unknown white male, approximately 5-feet, 11 inches tall, wearing a dark-colored zip-up jacket, orange or red shirt, khaki’s and a light tan Costa ball cap with a light blue Costa symbol.
The victim was able to fight the attacker off. She then ran to a nearby residence and called 911. The suspect fled the scene running west on Van Buren Avenue toward the Gertrude Ford Center parking lot where he got in a newer model white car. The suspect left the parking lot heading north towards West Jackson Avenue. As the suspect’s vehicle was leaving the parking lot, investigators were able to see several vehicles on video surveillance also driving through the Ford Center lot.
OPD is asking anyone who was in the Gertrude Ford Center parking lot between 7:45 and 8:10 p.m. on Oct. 20 to contact investigators at 662-232-2400. Crimestoppers is offering a a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Possible connection
Earlier in the day on Oct. 20, the University of Mississippi Police Department reported a sexual assault that occurred at about 2 p.m. somewhere along University Avenue.
OPD Maj. Jeff McCutchen said last week that there was not enough evidence yet to say with certainty that both attacks were perpetrated by the same person, but it was not being ruled out as a possibility.