‘Piggybacker’ Assailant Attacks Woman in Peabody Terrace Vestibule in Broad Daylight, Then Flees Scene

A female resident of Peabody Terrace reported that she was assaulted and battered in broad daylight yesterday as she entered her apartment.

The assault occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., when an unknown man followed the victim into the building. Thinking that he was a resident, she let him in the inner door. He proceeded to follow her to her room, where he grabbed her from behind. After she screamed the offender fled the building.

The victim called the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), who responded within two minutes, according to HUPD spokesman Steven G. Catalano. However, the assailant escaped before police arrived at the scene.

Catalano said HUPD detectives are currently investigating the case.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late twenties, 5’11” in height, with a medium build, short straight hair, and some facial hair, and wearing a white t-shirt and knee-length dark shorts, according to a HUPD community advisory released yesterday.

Catalano said that “piggybacking,” which occurs when somebody holds the door to let someone else into a building, is a safety problem.

“We would like to take the opportunity to strongly urge all community members not to allow anyone to piggyback into a building with them, resident or otherwise,” Catalano said. “If they do find someone trying to piggyback in, they should call us immediately.”

—ADAM M. GUREN