University of Iowa police issue crime alert after report of sex assault near Iowa River

IOWA CITY - With the start of classes just days away, the University of Iowa has issued its first crime alert of the fall semester - warning the community about a sexual assault near the Iowa River.

The alert, issued Wednesday afternoon, says UI police received information from an out-of-state law enforcement agency about a reported sexual assault on the UI campus late Monday. That agency said it received information from a victim who reported walking near the Iowa River when a suspect attacked.

The victim reported being pulled into a construction area and sexually assaulted before getting away, according to the UI police warning. The victim, who police are not identifying, described the attacker as a black male, 30 to 35 years old, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall, with short dreadlocks and black shoes. He had a skinny to normal build, according to UI police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at (319) 335-5022.

The university issues 'timely warning” messages when it receives, among other crime reports, sexual assault allegations in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

UI police in 2014 took 13 reports of sexual abuse and one report of attempted sexual abuse, according to its annual report.

UI's fall semester starts Monday.