WASHINGTON — Following four similar late-night attacks in Georgetown, D.C. police are working on heightened security measures that could involve an increase in patrols.
The attacks date back to Aug. 3, and the most recent occurred on Monday.
In the first incident, a woman said a person armed with a knife grabbed her and tried to sexually assault her in the 1600 block of 35th Street NW.
On Aug. 23, a woman was walking near the intersection of 37th and T streets NW when she was grabbed by a person in a dark-colored mask.
On Sept. 5, a woman was approached from behind and groped in the 1200 block of Potomac Avenue NW.
In the most recent incident, a woman was approached from behind and groped in the 1300 block of 35th Street NW as the attacker exposed himself.
All of the attacks happened between 10 p.m. and just after 1 a.m.
In two of the attacks, the suspect is described as about 5-foot-6 and in his 20s. He was wearing dark gym or basketball shorts.
The suspect in the knife attack was between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 with a slim build. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and gym shorts.
In the Sept. 5 attack, the suspect was only described as being about 6-foot-1. But he also wore a dark hooded sweatshirt plus dark pants.
The attacks happened near the Georgetown University campus, and students said they will continue to be cautious.
“Even though this is Georgetown, I’m not comfortable walking down here by myself at night,” said graduate student Julia Goetze.
Senior Yasmeen Sharara knew of the latest attack because she got an alert, and also saw numerous police cars near her off-campus home. However, she did not know that there had been other, possibly related attacks.
“That’s kind of really scary,” she said.
In addition to heightened security, police said they would be working to address community concerns. No community meetings have been scheduled.
