Bike Rider Attacked

A North House student was attacked last Wednesday night while riding his bike through the Cambridge Common, according to the Harvard University Police.

Harvard Police said a Cambridge resident attacked the student with the heel of a shoe at approximately 9:00 p.m. The student, whose name was not released, was taken to University Health Services (UHS) with contusions to the face and body, police said.

Cambridge Police arrested the attacker, Joseph Rodenmacher of 80 Jackson Circle, at the scene and charged him with assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

Neither the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) or the Harvard Police would comment on the circumstances surrounding the attack, but Jack Morse, Harvard deputy police chief, said the Common area was under the jurisdiction of the Cambridge Police and the Harvard Police only assisted in the arrest.

The North House office confirmed that the student was a North House resident but would not comment further.

This week's North House newsletter warned students not to walk or ride through the Commons alone at night.