Cambridge Police Investigating Indecent Assault & Battery on Laurel Street

The Cambridge Police Department is asking residents to aware of their surroundings after a female reported she was inappropriately touched by an unknown suspect Tuesday at approximately 3 p.m. on Laurel Street.

The victim was walking home from Central Square, when a suspect engaged her in a conversation and walked with her near Franklin Street and along Magazine Street. According to the victim, she made attempts to walk away from the suspect, but he followed her to Laurel Street, where he asked her to sit down on a residential porch to talk. When she went to leave, the suspect placed both arms around her in a bear-hug and then groped her buttocks. The victim then fled home.

The suspect was described as a male (unknown race) with “scraggly” facial hair, hair in cornrows, approximately 5’10-6’2.” The suspect identified himself as Angel and that he was 25-years-old. 

“While we are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, we have no reason to believe that it is connected to the recent assaults that have occurred in Cambridge,” said Deputy Superintendent Steven DeMarco. “Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Cambridge Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Section at 617-349-3370.” 

Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by text messaging Tip411 (847411) and begin your text with Tip650 and then type your message. You can also submit a tip anonymously via the MyPD app or call our 24-hour anonymous Crime Hotline at 617-349-3359.

To avoid being victimized, Cambridge Police encourage women to take the following precautions when walking anytime of the day:

• Do not wear earbuds, headphones, or listen to music while walking alone.
• Always walk with a friend or in a group when possible.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts.
• Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings.
• Don't look down at the ground.
• If you feel you are being followed, show you are suspicious – Turn to look at the person. This sends a clear message that you will not be taken by surprise.
• Change directions. If someone is following you on foot, cross the street and vary your pace. If the person following you is in a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.
• Try to remember descriptive information about the robber (height, age, race, etc.) to relay to police when reporting the incident.

More safety tips are available on the Cambridge Police Department’s website at www.CambridgePolice.org/SafetyTips.

###

 The Cambridge Police Department is committed to the enforcement of laws and preservation of order that protect the rights and property of every person within the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of police service and to impact crime, and its associated elements, through the utilization of new and proven crime prevention strategies and problem-solving partnerships with our community.  For more information, follow @CambridgePolice on Twitter, or access the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CambridgePolice.