Police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are trying to track down a man who is accused of sexually assaulting someone Friday night.
Cambridge police say officers responded to the Cambridgepark Drive area around 9:18 p.m. for a report of an assault in progress. The victim told officers that the assailant was a masked man with a knife.
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Detectives were processing a crime scene that is in a restroom of a commercial building, police said without giving a specific location for the alleged assault.
The Cambridge Police Department said Sunday they are using all means and resources to investigate this case, adding that the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has also assigned resources to the incident.
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Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673, and Massachusetts provides this list of statewide and resources for sexual assault survivors.
Many neighbors were surprised to hear the news on Saturday and say they had wondered why there was such a heavy police presence in the area.
"There were some policeman on the street patrolling and we weren't sure why they were here," one man said, calling the incident "concerning."
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"It makes me feel better that they're here now I know why they're here," a woman added of the increased police presence.
"Very alarming for sure," she said of the reported assault. "I've generally felt safe, but certainly alarming news to hear that."
Cambridgepark Drive residents say they have a lot of unanswered questions at this point.
Others who live on the street say they generally feel safe, even with a busy train station steps away, but now they'll be paying closer attention.
"I come walking from the T every day. I don’t ever have a problem with anybody. I don't ever see no type of conflict around. It’s a calm neighborhood. It’s quiet and everybody here is friendly," said Victoria Thames. "I’m kind of surprised."
Neighbors were looking for more specifics as to where this attack happened and if it was random. Police have only said the alleged assault occurred in the restroom of a commercial building.
One restaurant manager on the street said he hadn't heard about the incident, while the manager of another did not want to comment.
Neighbors say they're hopeful police will track down whoever is responsible.
Extra patrols have been assigned to the area as an additional precaution, according to police.
Cambridge police are working with Massachusetts State Police to identify and locate a suspect in the case, and they are asking anyone with information to contact Cambridge's criminal investigations unit at 617-349-9151, or online at cambridgepolice.org/TIPS.
Police are also reminding residents to call 911 immediately if they ever feel threatened or see any suspicious activity.
