NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) is investigating a sexual assault reported in the backyard of a home on Richardson Street, between Senior and Wyckoff Streets near Rutgers University on August 30.

Police responded to the scene shortly after receiving a call from the victim at approximately 2:46 A.M., saying that a man had stolen her cell phone and tried to sexually assault her.

According to a Rutgers crime alert, the female victim is affiliated with the school, and reported that while walking in the area, an unknown male perpetrator attempted to engage her in conversation while walking behind her.

Police said that the male suspect then followed the victim into a nearby backyard and “committed an act of sexual assault with his hand,” before fleeing towards Easton Avenue.

Though she did not suffer physical injuries, the victim was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was treated and released, according to an NBPD press release.

According to police radio transmissions, the suspect was described as a black male about 5 feet 5 inches tall, wearing tan shorts and a camouflage shirt with white dots.

The incident occurred about two hours after two people, including an 18-year-old Rutgers student, were shot with “unknown projectiles,” according to police.

The NBPD is still investigating this incident and asks that anyone with information to contact NBPD Detective Drew Weiss at 732-745-5217.

Reporter at New Brunswick Today