Victims and witnesses identified Akindahunsi as the suspect during the investigation, and officers recovered evidence such as zip ties, paracord, and duct tape that is believed to be associated with the incidents.
A homeless man has been arrested and charged with a string of violent assaults on the campus of UCLA against five women. Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, 29, has been charged with one felony count of attempted kidnapping to commit a forcible rape, three felony counts of assault with the attempt to commit a forcible rape during the commission of a first-degree burglary and two felony counts of assault likely to produce great bodily injury. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday, per the California Post. ;
The LA County District Attorney’s Office said that the first incident took place at around 11:30 pm on May 28 on Bruin Walk. Akindahunsi allegedly attacked the woman and fled with her phone. ;
Just minutes later, he allegedly slipped into a secure dorm building behind two women and followed them to their room. He has been accused of sexually assaulting one of the women and attacking the other. Both women escaped and Akindahunsi fled the scene. ;
He entered a different dorm building shortly after, allegedly approaching a woman walking down a hallway and "attempted to kidnap her in order to commit a sexual assault," the office said. The woman broke free, and Akindahunsi once again allegedly fled. ;
Shortly after midnight, Akindahunsi allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in the hallway of her dorm. A resident intervened and Akindahunsi fled, being quickly apprehended by UCLA police. ;The District Attorney’s office said that if convicted, Akindahunsi could face 32 years to life in prison, and would be required to register as a sex offender. ;
UCLA police said that Akindahunsi was homeless and not affiliated with the school. Victims and witnesses identified Akindahunsi as the suspect during the investigation, and officers recovered evidence such as zip ties, paracord, and duct tape that is believed to be associated with the incidents. ;
Akindahunsi is being held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Reception Center and bail has been set at $2.3 million.
UCLA Chief of Police Craig Valenzuela said in a statement, "I commend our officers for their quick response and excellent work in locating and arresting the suspect. I’m also grateful to the victims and witnesses who reported what occurred and assisted responding officers. Incidents like these are deeply concerning, and the safety and security of our campus community remains our highest priority. Our officers will continue working to help ensure UCLA remains a safe place to live, learn, work and visit."
Police said that despite the suspect being in custody and there being no known ongoing threat to the community related to the incidents, UCLA Police will continue with increased patrols in and around the affected residential areas.
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