A female victim reported being sexually assaulted and beaten as she returned home at 10 pm Tuesday night to her apartment complex located near the corner of Jackson and 8th Street, which is two blocks from the Lake Merritt BART station. She said the assault happened inside her apartment complex.

This is the fourth report the Oakland Police Department has received of a sexual assault of a female in the Lake Merritt area in the past five months.

On September 19, two women reported being robbed and sexually assaulted as they were on their way home. One incident reportedly happened near the corner of 3rd Avenue and International Boulevard, the other at E. 18th Street and Lakeshore Avenue. On January 18, in a similar attack in the Lake Merritt area, a man reportedly robbed and sexually assaulted another woman as she was walking home in the evening.

All reports describe a similar looking suspect. In the most recent attack, the alleged victim described the suspect as an African-American male approximately 6’0 tall with a medium complexion and casually dressed in a dark long sleeved shirt and a dark cap.

Officials from the Oakland Police Department say this incident is a high priority and investigators from the Special Victims Unit have been assigned to the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Youth and Family Services Division at 510-238-3641.

The police advise people to practice caution when going about their daily activities, which includes coming to and from home. The following safety tips are being provided by the Oakland Police Department as reminders:

1) Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t become distracted by electronic devices including cell phones.

2) Stay in well lit and populated areas when traveling alone.

3) Be especially alert when coming and going from your vehicle.

4) If someone or something looks suspicious call the police.