Authorities Investigate Several Reported Assaults On And Near West Chester University
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- Police in West Chester want students to be on alert after three alleged assaults, two off campus and one on campus, were reported last week.
"I was pretty caught off guard, I mean it is so close to campus, I wasn't used to it," said a student.
"It was surprising, I mean I've never seen anything like it before," said another student.
Officials say in two incidents the victims said they were approached on the street by several men who demanded money and then assaulted them.
Authorities say the third incident was a reported sexual assault that occurred in a campus residential facility on March 20.
Officials say the victim knew the alleged assailant prior to the assault.
"When I talk with my roommates we definitely have these conversations like why is this happening so much and make sure we're always around each other just in case anything goes wrong," said a student.
"I always usually make sure I have friends with me, I don't like walking anywhere by myself or anything," said another student.
The West Chester Public Safety Department is reminding students to be aware of their surroundings and avoid walking alone.
The suspect descriptions in the two alleged attempted robberies vary and it's not clear if they're related.
So far, there's no word of any arrests.
West Chester University urges anyone with information regarding these crimes to contact the West Chester University Department of Public Safety Police at 610-436-3311.
