Cambridge Police Investigating Sexual Assault and Battery in the Area of 679 Concord Avenue

At about 8:00 PM, Tuesday July 15, 2014, a female victim reported to Cambridge Police that she was walking on the path across from 679 Concord Avenue from the area of the Fresh Pond Reservation when she was approached by a male riding a black sport type BMX bicycle. As this male rode passed her in the opposite direction, the victim noticed that he was staring at her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.

After the male passed her, the victim could hear that he had turned around and was now approaching her from the behind. The male then rode up along side of her and indecently touched her. The victim observed that this male was now wearing a black ski mask.

The victim then ran up the path and onto Concord Avenue where she noticed that the male suspect, who had followed her, had fallen off the bicycle. The victim then states that the male got back on to the bicycle and fled in the opposite direction, back down the path towards the pond.

The suspect is described as a white male, age 20-25 and last seen riding a black sport type BMX bicycle.  (Not a Mountain type bicycle)

The Cambridge Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. 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 call our 24 hour anonymous Crime/Drug Tip Hotline at 617-349-3359. The Cambridge Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those wishing to remain anonymous.

To help protect yourself the Cambridge Police encourage you to take the following precautions:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts (especially at night).
• Always walk with a friend or in a group when possible.
• 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. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Anyone at anytime can be a victim of crime so never assume, “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.”
• Make quick eye contact with those around you.
• Do not wear ear buds, headphones, or listen to music while walking alone.
• Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
• 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 suspect (height, age, race, etc.) to relay to police when reporting the incident.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If threatened, use the whistle to signal residents for help. Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” or “Rape!” are ways of drawing attention and alerting people of your situation.

The Cambridge Police Department offers a free self-defense class for woman who work or reside in the City of Cambridge.  The class is taught for 4 consecutive weeks for three hours each session.  Participants must commit to attend all 4 sessions as this class builds muscle memory through repetition.  The class teaches woman risk reducing strategies and avoidance measures while progressing on to very basic physical hands on self-defense techniques. The course is free and taught by Cambridge Police Officers. For more information, call the Cambridge Police Department’s Community Services Unit at (617) 349-3236.

###