UCLA police arrest man after reported assaults at residences – NBC Los Angeles

A 29-year-old man suspected in a sequence of assaults on the UCLA campus was taken into custody Friday.

Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi was booked early morning on suspicion of theft, tried kidnapping, assault with intent to commit a intercourse offense, and sexual battery, with bail set at $2.3 million, in keeping with the UCLA Police Division.

Police stated Akindahunsi isn’t affiliated with the college and will be homeless.

Officers responded at about 11:35 p.m. Thursday to reviews of a theft on Bruin Stroll. In response to police, a suspect approached a pupil from behind, forcibly stole her cellphone and fled.

Officers then started receiving further reviews of assaults at a number of residential amenities, together with De Neve Evergreen, Dykstra Corridor, and Cedar Corridor, police stated, noting the suspect was believed to have adopted or approached feminine victims in every incident to bodily assault them or try and restrain or sexually abuse them.

“In every incident, the victims had been capable of battle again, or witnesses intervened, permitting the victims to get away and notify police,” in keeping with a police assertion.

An assault at Cedar Corridor was reported at roughly 12:05 a.m. Friday, when a witness heard a sufferer calling for assist, intervened and pursued the suspect as he fled the constructing. Witnesses led officers to the suspect’s location close to Parking Construction 8 and detained Akindahunsi with out incident, police stated.

Investigators recovered proof believed to be related to the assaults, together with zip ties, duct tape, and paracord.

“I commend our officers for his or her fast response and glorious work in finding and arresting the suspect,” UCLA Police Chief Craig Valenzuela stated in an announcement. “Incidents like these are deeply regarding, and the security and safety of our campus group stays our highest precedence. Our officers will proceed working to assist guarantee UCLA stays a secure place to dwell, study, work, and go to.”

Though the suspect was taken into custody, police have elevated patrols in and across the residential space out of an abundance of warning.

Residents and college students had been inspired to report any suspicious exercise and to make the most of accessible security sources, together with the Neighborhood Service Officer Night Escort Program, which gives free strolling escorts among the many campus, close by residential areas, and Westwood Village from nightfall till 1 a.m. year-round.

Anybody with data associated to the assaults was urged to contact The UCLA Police Division at 310-825-1419.