Pitt boosts police patrols after reported rape near Oakland campus

The University of Pittsburgh has stepped up police patrols following a reported rape Sunday near the Oakland campus.

Pittsburgh police said the victim reported being sexually assaulted by a man wearing a black ski mask who displayed a knife, hit her in the face and took her cellphone.

The incident took place around 2:10 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Melwood Avenue, Pittsburgh police said.

The woman had just stepped off a Pittsburgh Rapid Transit bus on Centre Avenue and was talking on her cellphone when the man approached her, according to police.

He took her into a back alley and “forced her to remove her undergarments,” police said. He then threatened to kill her, and punched her in the eye, according to the police account.

Pittsburgh police referred to the incident as a “sexual assault” on their public crime blotter, while Pitt’s police called the alleged crime a rape.

Cara Cruz, a Pittsburgh police spokeswoman, would not explain the discrepancy.

“If there is an arrest in this case, Pittsburgh police will be recommending charges of rape and sexual assault,” Cruz said Monday.

She called the case “open and active.”

Neither Cruz nor Pitt would say if the victim has any connection to the school.

Pitt police offered safety advice and resources and suggested individuals impacted take advantage of campus counseling.

“We are increasing patrols and remain in close communication with the City of Pittsburgh Police,” Jared Stonesifer, a Pitt spokesman, told TribLive.

About 29,500 students are enrolled on Pitt’s main campus, roughly two-thirds of them undergraduates.

A Pittsburgh Regional Transit official declined to say whether the bus that dropped the woman off captured video that could assist detectives.

“We’re working with Pittsburgh police in their investigation,” Adam Brandolph, a transit agency spokesman, said. “That’s all I’m able to share at this time.”

Pitt police issued an alert to campus Sunday with details of the incident, after being alerted by city police.

The suspect is described as possibly in his 30s, 5-foot-7 and about 150 pounds. He was wearing black clothing and a black ski mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 or Pittsburgh police’s Special Victims Unit at 412-323-7141.