A Marquette University student was robbed and sexually assaulted in a dark alley just off campus early last Wednesday, and newly filed court records now reveal that police later hit a nearby house with a search warrant. The victim told investigators she was followed, confronted with a handgun and forced into a secluded spot, and said the attacker warned, "If you say anything, I am going to pull the trigger." Officers canvassed the neighborhood, detained a person who matched her description of the assailant, and say the investigation is very much still active, as reported by TMJ4.
Search warrant ties evidence to nearby house
According to TMJ4, court documents state that investigators used surveillance footage of the attack to zero in on a vacant house on Highland Avenue and detained a man there who fit the description given by the student. The affidavit notes that officers spotted a tan coat and a black firearm under the porch, items investigators say lined up with what the victim reported.
What investigators found
Per WISN, the search warrant authorized officers to look for a handgun, clothing, a condom and a pink iPhone that matched the student's phone, and reporters say multiple items were collected from the property. The warrant also states that the person detained matched the physical description provided by the victim and that officers were pursuing outstanding arrest warrants connected to that individual.
Man in custody, no assault charges yet
Records show a 28-year-old man is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail in connection with the stop, although authorities have not formally charged him in the sexual assault or robbery, according to Marquette Wire. Police say the case is still under investigation and that any charging decisions will come only after a full review of the collected evidence.
Campus reaction and safety push
Students and nearby residents told reporters they saw heavy police activity in the area and are pressing for better lighting, more cameras and stepped up patrols in the alleys around campus, and the university arranged on-campus self-defense demonstrations while officers continued canvassing homes, according to TMJ4. The attack has reignited long standing safety worries among students who say certain blocks feel uncomfortably dark once the sun goes down.
Legal update
The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office told WISN that no charges related to the sexual assault had been referred to prosecutors as of the latest reporting. Prosecutors typically wait for forensic testing and a complete investigative file before deciding whether to file criminal charges.
How to help
Anyone with information is asked to contact Marquette University Police at (414) 288-6800 or submit a tip through the department's official channels, as reported by WTMJ. This story will be updated as prosecutors review the evidence and release any charging decisions.
