Police release sketch of rape suspect

Charleston Police have released a composite sketch of a man who sexually assaulted one College of Charleston student and may have tried to attack another minutes later on Nov. 10.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 25 to 32 years old, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-10, 145 to 170 pounds. He had scruffy facial hair, an unkempt appearance, dark skin and blood shot eyes. He wore baggy jeans, a gray or tan jacket and a blue ball cap with light writing.

Police say he attacked the first victim at about 11:20 p.m. The woman was walking north on Coming Street when the suspect approached her from behind and demanded money, a police report says.

The man sexually assaulted her when she told him she didn’t have any money, it says.

Police say the description is similar to the suspect in a second attack about 10 minutes later.

A woman was walking on Radcliffe Street near King Street when a man grabbed her from behind. She fought off the attacker and ran away. She was not injured, police say.

Both women were alone at the time of the attacks. The college informed its students of the attacks and encouraged everyone to be aware of their surroundings.

Any student or staff member who feels uneasy; about walking at night can request a public safety officer for an escort.