By Paul P. Quinn
Senior Staff Reporter

Oxford police are asking for help in catching a man who sexually assaulted a 21-year-old female student Thursday.

The incident occurred in a back alley on the Square, police chief Mike Martin said.

“That area is pretty populated and somebody probably saw something,” Martin said. He would not discuss other details so that it would be certain any witness who did come forward with information could not have read it in the newspapers.

“We don’t have a serial rapist,” Martin said. “But when I get a report like this, I want to catch the guy who did it.”

A police release said they are looking for an athletically built black male in his 20s.

“The victim was forced into a dark area as the assault took place,” the release said.

The police incident report said the female was out with some friends when she got separated near the Library bar. She was alone when she was approached by two men and one had forcible sex with her.

“She escaped his grasp and ran away to the Library bar where her friends were,” the incident report said.

The female went to Baptist Memorial Hospital Friday, where the police were called.

Martin said people, especially females, should stay in groups when they go out drinking.

“All kinds of things can happen alone,” Martin said. “Very rarely do we have bad things happen to groups.”

Anyone with information should contact OPD at (662) 232-2400.