Charlottesville and Albemarle County police are investigating a possible link between the assault of a city resident Monday morning and two similar September incidents in the county.
A woman in her 40s was attacked in her home in the Willoughby subdivision between 8 and 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 11.
The suspect entered the house through an unlocked door, and sexually assaulted the victim when she returned from running errands, Charlottesville Police Capt. Chip Harding said.
Describing the victim as "beaten badly," Harding said she has been released from the University Medical Center, but will require further medical attention.
Although county police would not comment on the status of the investigation, Harding said there is a "strong likelihood" that the incidents are connected.
Based on "certain behavioral aspects" of the crimes," Harding said "it appears right now that there is a good probability" the perpetrator in Monday's incident is also responsible for the two county assaults.
No arrests have been made in any of the cases.
In all three instances, the victims described their attackers as black males, nearly 6-feet tall and ranging from 160 to 205 pounds. In Monday's assault, the suspect was reportedly clean-shaven and wearing a blue nylon running suit with a blue knit cap.
"At this time we are only exploring to see if the Sept. 26 incidents are related to yesterday's attack in the city," Albemarle County Police Lt. John Teixeira said. "I am not prepared to divulge specific information at this point."
In the first Sept. 26 assault, which occurred at 2 a.m., a man entered the bedroom of a 22-year-old Ivy Gardens resident after climbing up a three-story balcony and entering through an unlocked door.
The intruder punched the victim in the head, sexually assaulted her and fled after taking some money, authorities said.
Later that afternoon, a 27-year-old Georgetown Green resident was attacked in her home around 3:15.
After coaxing the victim to let him into her apartment, the suspect repeatedly punched her in the head but ran away because her roommate was home, according to county police.
"It's routine that we cross check with the city police departments on cases like this," Teixeira said. "We've put a lot of time and effort into the case and haven't had any breaks."
Welcoming any tips from citizens, Teixeira encouraged the public not to think they would "bother the cops" by reporting suspicious activity.
"Many times it's those types of calls that break the case," he said. "That's what we get paid for."
University Police, who maintain regular contact with their Charlottesville and Albemarle counterparts, echoed such sentiment.
"We're asking for students, faculty and staff help for safety precautions," University Police Sgt. Melissa Fielding said. "No matter how little it is, it could be a big break."
Although "there's lots of [University Police officers] out there," Fielding reminded students to keep their doors and windows locked at all times.
"Crimes occur all times of the day and night," she said. "We're not anymore safe at any time of day."
Harding also offered a warning to students, noting that, in these cases, the attacker typically will continue to target victims until he is apprehended.
"This is a very violent predator and probably is watching various co-eds and determining what he wants to do next," he said. "The co-eds need to use extra caution."
Police urge anyone who has information regarding the assaults to call Crimestoppers at 977-4000, Charlottesville Detective Blaine Cosgro at 970-3272 or Albemarle County Detective Steve Wilkins at 296-5807.
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