Cambridge Police are conducting investigations into a sexual assault report from Thursday night in the Harvard Square area. The victim, whose identity remains confidential, was walking when two assailants wearing ski masks and gloves reportedly forced them into a nearby alley. Following the assault, the individual received medical attention at a local hospital, as reported by The Harvard Crimson.
The specific location of the incident is currently being withheld by the authorities, with a spokesperson mentioning that it occurred "in the vicinity of Harvard Square." As part of the ongoing investigation, the Cambridge Police Department has added extra patrols to the area, as an additional security measure was noted in the email alert. In a separate statement, Cambridge Day also reported that the assault did not happen "right in the middle of the busy, bustling square while people were walking," despite occurring relatively close to the popular hub.
The last time a sexual assault in the vicinity of Harvard Square was brought to the public's attention was in October 2023, involving an incident on Lesley University’s campus. This recent assault adds to the city’s crime statistics, which have depicted a slight increase in rapes by strangers, totaling nine reported cases in 2023, up from seven the previous two years, and five in 2020, according to last year's city crime report, with information obtained by Cambridge Day.
While the investigation progresses, the police urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by calling 911. They are also making a strong appeal for anyone with information pertinent to the case, especially those with surveillance or dashcam footage, to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit. This can be done anonymously at (617) 349-9151 or through their website at cambridgepolice.org/TIPS, as was encouraged in statements from The Harvard Crimson.
