A man accused of attacking several female UCLA students overnight and attempting to kidnap or sexually assault them was arrested Friday, authorities said.
According to the UCLA Police Department, the suspect was identified as Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, a 29-year-old homeless man who was not affiliated with the university. Police said they recovered zip ties, duct tape and paracord nylon rope as part of their investigation.
Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, 29, was arrested Friday on suspicion of robbery, sexual assault, attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a sexual crime after multiple assaults were reported at UCLA.
(UCLA Police Department)
Police said Akindahunsi was arrested on suspicion of robbery, sexual assault, attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a sexual offense and is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Reception Center in lieu of $2.3 million bail.
Officers initially responded to a call of an attempted robbery on Bruin Walk at 11:35 p.m. Thursday. A student said a man attacked her from behind, stole her cellphone and ran away.
As officers began searching for that suspect, police said they received reports of additional attacks at residential facilities, including De Neve Evergreen, Dykstra Hall and Cedar Hall. In each case, Akindahunsi is accused of attempting to restrain or sexually assault a female student before she either resisted or sought help from onlookers.
At 12:05 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of an assault in progress at Cedar Hall. A witness heard a student screaming for help, intervened, and then pursued the suspect. The witness directed responding officers to Parking Structure 8, where Akindahunsi was taken into custody.
UCLA students recently described a worrying pattern of behavior – Men yelling, screaming and chasing women down Hilgard Avenue, also known as Sorority Row.
“Incidents of harassment seem to be increasing in recent years and even this year,” said Ella Hernand, president of the UCLA Panhellenic Council. daily bruin earlier this month. “Alumni and advisors who have been at Hilgard before are usually surprised and say it was not like this when they were here.”
Last month, UCLA classmates hired private security In response to the surge in reports of Non-domestic persons directing aggressive behavior, Harassment and lewd comments towards female students on Hilgard Avenue.
Akindahunsi is not believed to be connected to prior incidents on or near the UCLA campus, Richard Mejia, director of emergency communications, said in a statement.
Mejia said private security is being coordinated by the sororities for their facilities and UCLA wants to continue working with the community to support security on Hilgard Avenue and throughout campus.
“UCPD conducts regular and directed patrols of the area, including increased evening presence, and continues to work with campus partners, student leaders and chapter stakeholders to address concerns and connect students to support,” he said.
Last month, a Santa Monica man, also unaffiliated with the university, was charged with kidnapping and attempting to rape a UCLA student in March. He was also accused of raping a woman unaffiliated with UCLA near Culver City in October.
