A man suspected of violently assaulting several female students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been arrested. Police found him in possession of zip ties, duct tape and rope.
The suspect, identified as Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, a 29-year-old homeless man not affiliated with the university, was taken into custody early on Friday. The UCLA Police Department reported that campus officers responded to a robbery at about 11:35 p.m. on Thursday, where a student said the suspect approached her from behind and used physical force to steal her phone.
As officers searched the area, they received reports of further assaults at several residential halls, including De Neve Evergreen, Dykstra Hall and Cedar Hall. Police said Akindahunsi allegedly followed or approached female students, physically assaulted them and attempted to restrain or sexually assault them.
Shortly after midnight, officers responded to an ongoing assault after a witness heard a student crying for help. The witness intervened and chased the suspect into a parking structure, where police detained Akindahunsi. Multiple victims and witnesses identified him, and authorities recovered zip ties, duct tape and paracord on his person.
Akindahunsi was arrested on suspicion of robbery, sexual battery, attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a sex offence. He is being held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Reception Center with bail set at $2.3 million.
UCLA Chief of Police Craig Valenzuela praised officers for their quick response and thanked victims and witnesses. Although police stated there is no known ongoing threat, patrols around the affected residential areas will be increased as a precaution.
