University of Utah police are searching for a man suspected of raping a student in broad daylight after offering her a ride.
The woman was walking to a bus stop near 200 South and University Street about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 when a man in a silver SUV called her by name and offered a ride, police wrote in a statement Wednesday. She accepted, and the man drove her to a parking lot at 500 S. Guardsman Way, where he raped her, police said. The woman left the scene immediately, police wrote.
The case was first reported to police Feb. 6; they didn't want to interfere with the investigation by making a public announcement immediately, but they had exhausted their leads as of Wednesday, said Sgt. Garth Smith. Although the man appears to have known who the victim was, the victim does not know the man's name, Smith said.
He is described as white, 20-plus years old and 6 feet tall with medium-length, sandy blond hair, police wrote in an email alert to all students. He has a mark on the left side of his face and may have been in a sweatshirt and jeans.
Anyone with information about this or any similar attacks may call police at 801-585-2677. Any student who requires a security escort on campus may call the same number.
Erin Alberty