Evanston and Northwestern University police say an NU graduate student was the victim of a robbery and attempted sexual assault at 1930 Ridge Ave. in Evanston about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Evanston Police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan says the 24-year-old student saw a man knocking on the entrance door to the building, and thinking he was a resident, opened the door for him.
Then when she entered the building’s elevator, he followed her. While the elevator was in transit, Dugan says, he began to grope the victim and attempted to reach under her clothing.
After the victim began screaming for help, police say, the man battered her, pushed her to the floor and took her wallet and cellphone.
When the elevator door opened, the man fled on foot. The victim received scrapes to her legs from the incident, but declined medical treatment.
The student described the attacker as a 25-30 year-old black male, about 6-feet-2-inches tall, wearing a long-sleeved dark shirt, dark pants and carrying a black backpack.
Evanston dolice detectives are investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Division at 847-866-5040. Information can also be provided anonymously by utilizing Text-A-Tip by texting CRIMES (274637) and entering EPDTIP in the message line, followed by the information.