San Diego police are asking the public to help find a man who followed a woman to her University City apartment where he robbed, beat and sexually assaulted her Saturday night.

The victim, in her 20s, was dropped off at the Venetian Apartments on Nobel Drive near Regents Road about 10:30 p.m. after attending a beach barbecue, San Diego police Lt. Paul Phillips said. She started toward her apartment through a well-lit parking structure when she noticed a man was tailing her.

The woman thought she could escape into her apartment, but after she unlocked the door, the man knocked her to the ground, Phillips said. The assailant pulled out a black handgun and demanded the woman give him money.

After she complied, he forced the woman into her apartment while choking her and brutally sexually assaulted her, Phillips said. The victim is currently hospitalized with injuries including facial fractures.


“She was walking to her apartment in a well-lit area. She was going a direct route that she’s used multiple times,” Phillips said. “She did nothing to bring this upon herself.”

It’s unclear what direction the attacker went after leaving the apartment. Detectives are hopeful that someone saw him and may have information about where he went.

“This was a very violent individual... we could use all the help we can get,” Phillips said. “No crime is run of the mill by any means, but this was a particularly violent incident that we have a lot of people working on.”

The suspect was described as black, 25 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 180 pounds with a medium or athletic build. He had short black hair, a short beard and was wearing a gray hoodie, gray shorts with red stripes on the sides and black sneakers. He was carrying a black backpack.


Detectives asked anyone with information about the incident, the suspect or his whereabouts to call (619) 531-2210 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477.