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ELPD continues to work daily on sexual assault cases

July 17, 2013

The East Lansing Police Department, or ELPD, still is investigating the slew of sexual assaults that took place near the end of April and continued through May, with the most recent assault taking place on May 16, ELPD Captain Jeff Murphy said.

“There fortunately haven’t been any more (assaults), but unfortunately we haven’t identified a suspect,” Murphy said. “We still have several open tips that we can’t close yet because the detective is still working on them.”

A composite sketch was released of the suspect on May 29, and authorities believe he may have a tattoo on his arm or shoulder.

The suspect likely is involved in three sexual assaults, with the most recent one taking place at approximately 8 p.m. in the parking lot outside of Abbott Pointe Apartments. The suspect dragged the victim behind a dumpster where he physically and sexually assaulted her. He was last seen on Abbot Road just north of Saginaw Street.

Two other incidents took place the month prior; authorities believe they were by the same suspect. One of the incidents, taking place on April 20, took place on Coolidge Road just south of Lake Lansing Road around midnight. She was dragged to a secluded area where she was both physically and sexually assaulted.

The other incident took place on the 300 block of Charles Street at approximately 3 a.m. on April 26. The victim was dragged to a secluded area where she was physically assaulted and an attempted sexual assault occurred.

“It still remains our top priority and they are working on it daily,” Murphy said. “But as of now we haven’t identified a suspect.”

Holly Baranowski

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