GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Police are investigating after a “vulnerable adult” was abducted and sexually assaulted Friday night, Sept. 8th, just feet away from Aquinas College.
The incident was first reported by the Aquinas College Department of Campus Safety Facebook page on Monday, three days after the event took place. Grand Rapids Police notified the public Wednesday, saying the five day delay was an effort to verify the validity of the assault.
According to GRPD, a 19-year-old woman, described as a “vulnerable adult,” was approached by a man in a black, 4-door sedan with tinted windows, leather interior and temporary license plate in the rear, driver’s side window, and clothes littered throughout the backseat. The victim told police the suspect got out of the car, approached her and forced her inside. The victim then says the suspect took her to an unknown location and sexually assaulted her. Police say she was with the suspect for an hour before escaping and calling for help.
The abduction happened near the corner of Woodmere Avenue and Robinson Road SE, off Aquinas’ campus.
The suspect is described as being a middle aged man between 5’8″ and 6’0″ with a thin build. He could be of either Indian or Middle Eastern decent, according to investigators. He also is described as having “salt-and-pepper-colored hair” and had some facial hair.
An earlier release from GRPD referred to the vehicle as an SUV.
Anyone with information should call Grand Rapids Police at 616-456-3400 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
