A University of Minnesota student was trailed for blocks during the late afternoon and groped as she reached her apartment building, according to authorities. The suspect remains at large.

The off-campus sexual assault occurred about 5:30 p.m. Friday near Huron Boulevard and Essex Street SE., U police said in a campuswide crime alert. City police said the victim is in her early 20s.

According to the alert:

The woman was walking south on Huron and suspected that someone had been following her for several blocks. When she arrived at her apartment building, the man "approached from behind and groped her."

The man fled on foot, and university and city police were unable to locate him.

A description of the suspect released by university police lacked distinguishing details. City police are not releasing a description.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Minneapolis police at 612-692-8477.

Paul Walsh