By George P. Hassett

Police are alerting Porter Square residents after a woman was assaulted by a masked man in the neighborhood on Dec. 16.

In a phone and email alert to residents, Deputy Chief Paul Upton said a 24 year-old woman was indecently assaulted as she walked on Porter Street near Peterson Terrace. The victim was grabbed from behind and assaulted before she screamed, apparently scaring off the suspect, he said. The suspect then fled down Peterson Terrace toward Linden Avenue, Upton said.

The suspect is described by police as a male, about 5 foot 10 inches, wearing a dark blue ski jacket with a black patch on the left sleeve, blank pants and black shoes. He was wearing some type of black mask covering his face, Upton said.
“We urge residents, particularly women, who may be walking alone in this area, to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings. For your safety, you should avoid wearing headphones or earbuds, and keep your cell phone readily available,” he said in the alert.
The police department has increased patrols of both marked and unmarked cars in the area and are asking residents if they see anyone or anything unusual, to call 911 immediately