Aquinas warns students after sex assault

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids police detectives have received several tips in their search for a sexual assault suspect near Aquinas College.

But detectives told 24 Hour News 8 that none of those tips have prompted an arrest, or even developed into strong leads.

Monday was the first day of school on Aquinas campus. Orange fliers warned students, providing details about the early Saturday morning attack.

Around 2 a.m. Saturday, an Aquinas female student was walking near Fulton Street and Lowell Avenue, only a couple blocks away from campus. 24 Hour News 8 reported Sunday the victim was sexually assaulted.

The 21-year-old student called police and reported the attack.

Minutes later, police said, they received another call from a 47-year-old woman who said someone tried to sexually assault her around the same area.

Though police have released two sketches, detectives believe they are looking for one person.

The suspect is described as a black man between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10 with a stocky and muscular build, between the age of 25 and 35.

Aquinas College officials declined to comment on camera for this story.

They did send part of the campus security policy, and officials told 24 Hour News 8 campus security would escort students who are worried. Students can normally use the service within a one mile radius from school.

"If it's three o'clock in the morning, they're there as a tool. We can take advantage of that as students,"  Aquinas student Hunter Perry said.

Besides the orange fliers, campus officials also sent a message to students.

"We pretty much got warned to be careful and walk females back and make sure everyone's being safe," Perry said.