Fort Collins Police Release Map Of Assaults On Women
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Fort Collins police released a map of the locations where a serial attacker assaulted at least eight women on or near the Colorado State University campus.
Another woman was attacked on Monday, but police aren't sure if it's connected to the previous eight, which began in September. The most recent victim said she was punched and cut in her neighborhood on Orchard Place.
Police previously released a sketch of the suspect -- a Hispanic male of medium height with stocky build -- but it's too vague to form any substantial leads. More than 150 tips have poured into Fort Collins police.
"We're not taking this lightly in any regard. Our officers are working on it. Our investigators are working on it. We're trying to be in the right places at the right time," Matt Johnson with Fort Collins police said.
CSU students Danielle Dirks and Ashley Sell said they're determined not to become the next victims. Dirks carries pepper spray.
"I always have it unlocked and I just have my thumb on it ready to go," she said. "It definitely makes me feel more secure walking along streets and knowing that I do have some sort of defense mechanism."
Another student, Erin Ciacio, said the attacks have made her feel less safe in that area of Fort Collins.
"I'm not as worried on my bike," she said. "I feel more confident on my bike. I feel like I could turn and go a different direction a lot more quickly."
Police are advising women walking on and near campus to stay alert, including putting their phone away and paying attention to their surroundings.
