Police searching for man wanted in assault on Tufts student

MEDFORD, Mass. — Police on the Tufts University campus are stepping up patrols after the second report of a student assault in the last week.

A student said she was walking in the Adams Street neighborhood in Medford around 8:20 Tuesday night when a man approached her from behind and grabbed around her waist, according to Medford and Tufts University police.

The student was able to break free and run away, police said, and she was not injured. After a search of the area, police said they did not find the suspect, described by the student as wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and jeans, according to a Tufts University statement.

The alleged assault is the second similar incident in about a week near the campus; another student reported she was assaulted May 7 around 11:45 p.m. on Frederick Avenue, according to the university. She too reported she was grabbed from behind by a man but was able to break free. The alleged attacker -- described as 6 feet tall and wearing all black clothing and reflective sneakers – also fled the scene and has not been located.