Authorities released a suspect's sketch Tuesday in a reported sexual assault before dawn last week of a female college student walking alone near the Mississippi River.
The reported assault occurred about 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 19 near West River Parkway as the woman was headed to the nearby St. Catherine University campus in Minneapolis at 25th Avenue S., police said.
The woman, in her 20s, went to the hospital for treatment, Police Sgt. Stephen McCarty said.
The attacker was described as black, 35 to 40 years old, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a medium to heavy build and a scruffy beard. He was wearing a navy blue jacket with a zipper.
Along with release of the sketch, CrimeStoppers is offering $1,000 for information in the case. Information on submitting tips can be found at CrimeStoppersMN.org.
About 2 1/2 hours earlier that day, a 26-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted while on foot along Stevens Square Park in the 1800 block of Stevens Avenue S.
McCarty said the descriptions of the attackers lead him to think that the same person is not responsible for both. There also has been no arrest in that case.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the Minneapolis police sex crimes unit at 612-673-3081.
