The Boston Police Department has arrested a man who was wanted in a sexual assault of an MIT student over the weekend in Back Bay.
The student was attacked around 11:45 p.m. Saturday at the sorority where she lived, in the area of Beacon Street and a public alley.
Police said late Tuesday afternoon that the suspect, 33-year-old Nahom Getaneh, had been arrested on two outstanding warrants on charges of failing to register as a sex offender and drug possession.
In Saturday's case, he is being charged with assault with intent to rape and indecent assault and battery. He will appear in Boston Municipal Court at some point in the future, police said.
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MIT police said Saturday's incident took place at the rear entrance to a sorority on Beacon Street near Massachusetts Avenue as the student returned home about midnight.
She was attacked from behind after the man approached her on a bicycle asking for food, according to a statement sent to the MIT community. The woman was groped from behind, then he followed her inside and assaulted her more.
"The victim/survivor fought off the perpetrator and called 911. The perpetrator fled on a bicycle," the warning to the MIT community said.
The owner of the Quality Mart store at the corner of Beacon Street and Massachusetts Avenue said police came in Monday and asked for his surveillance video, which he shared with them. He said the video shows the suspect pretty clearly, and you can see him following a woman into an alley.
They came in, reviewed the video cameras and asked us to give them the footage," Chafik Hamadeh said. "I hate this kind of stuff...I hope they get the guy."
In their announcement, police also shared a list of safety tips, including to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night, to try to walk with friends and avoid poorly lit areas and to avoid distractions.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call 617-343-4400. Anonymous tips can also be left for police by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting "TIP" to 27463.
