Somerville Police are investigating an indecent assault and battery that occurred late Thursday evening.  At about 11:30 p.m., a 23 year old woman was walking to a friend’s home, from the Porter Square MBTA station. As she passed the area of Elm Street and Holyoke Road, she was approached from behind by an unknown suspect, pushed into a car and indecently assaulted.  The victim screamed, causing the attacker to flee.

The victim described the suspect as a white male, in his mid-twenties, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and was clean shaven.  He was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt with the hood pulled up and possibly jeans.  The suspect fled toward Elm Street.

Somerville Police are advising women who may be walking alone to take some common sense safety precautions.  Try to walk on well lit routes whenever possible.  Avoid wearing headphones or ear buds and listening to loud music. Keep your cell phone accessible and avoid distracting phone calls. Trust your instincts and avoid dangerous situations. If you think that someone is following you, try to get to a lighted area with other people. If you feel that you are in danger call 911 right away.

This incident has similarities to several other late night assaults on women in the past few months. Somerville Police are working together with Cambridge Police, Transit Police, Medford Police, Harvard University and Tufts University Police to identify and apprehend this suspect.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Somerville Police at 617 625-1212 or text 617SPD to Tip411.