Off-campus assault takes place near College Avenue and Columbia Avenue

Twitter: Allison Papson/@AllisonPapson

Prince George’s County Police Department investigating a sexual assault that occurred at College and Columbia Avenues in College Park on Monday evening.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., the victim, an adult female, said to police she was walking in the area of College Avenue and Columbia Avenue when the suspect approached her from behind and knocked her to the ground, said police in a press release. She then told police that she was sexually assaulted by the suspect who then ran from the area.

UMD Alerts sent out a community alert via email and text at about 9:30 p.m. Monday, informing the community of a possible threat.

The alert described the suspect as “possibly a White or Hispanic male” and was last seen around Old Town Playground, which is about a mile and a half away from campus.

The University of Maryland Police Department sent an update about a half-hour later, warning the community that the suspect is not in custody and to “continue to avoid the area.” At about 10:28 p.m., there was an “all-clear” alert issued by UMPD as it appeared the suspect had left the area.

Prince George's County Police Department is still investigating this incident. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Prince George’s County Sexual Assault Unit at 301-772-4908.