Assault Foiled by University Police

A University police officer last night rescued a 17-year-old Somerville girl and her sailor escort from a "tall, gun-wielding man" on the corner of Bryant and Frances Streets by the Divinity School. The offender, however, escaped to Beacon Street and could not be found.

Sergeant FitzGerald said that the couple was sitting in a car at 10:45 p.m. when the man walked up to them, drew a gun, and forced the girl to go with him. Second later, FitzGerald, who patrols the area, passed the car and was told what had happened. He gave chase and the attacker fled. FitzGerald then called the Cambridge police.

Sergeant Smith of the Cambridge police who is now in charge of the case, said that four cruisers and the University police carefully combed the area, including the Sachs estate, but failed to find any trace of the man. Smith said that the armed attacker was probably still at large in the area around the University.