Men assault, rape student, police say

Woman restrained by three men, sexually assaulted by fourth, authorities report

 by Matt Culbertson
 published on Monday, February 25, 2008

A 20-year-old female ASU student was sexually assaulted early Sunday morning in her apartment on University Drive near McClintock Drive, police said.

At about 1 a.m. on Sunday, three men held the student down while a fourth man sexually assaulted her, said Tempe Police Sgt. Cindy Davies. The incident occurred on the 1600 block of East University Drive in Tempe.

The four men followed the student to her apartment on foot, Davies said. Davies added that the student believed the men were looking for a party.

When the student unlocked the door to her apartment, the men followed her inside against her will, Davies said.

The student initially believed the men did not have bad intentions, Davies said.

After the assault, the four men left the apartment, which was empty at the time of the attack, according to a release by the Tempe Police Department.

The student sustained undisclosed minor injuries and did not require hospitalization, Davies said.

Davies said police warn students to be wary of strangers.

"A lot of college students get used to people being around," Davies said. "Students really need to be aware of their surroundings."

The four suspects are described as white males ages 18 to 24, all with average builds at approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall.

Reach the reporter at: matt.culbertson@asu.edu.