BOSTON, June 5, 2014—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Timothy P. Alben, and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans today reminded residents, visitors, and incoming summer school students to exercise caution on the Charles River Esplanade, particularly at night, in light of past sexual assaults in that area.
Authorities recommended that joggers, cyclists, pedestrians, and others remain alert and aware of their surroundings if they visit the Esplanade at night and travel in groups if possible. More specifically, they recommended avoiding one-on-one contact with strangers, seeking help if a stranger tries to isolate them, and never getting into a car with a person they don’t know.
Suffolk prosecutors, Massachusetts State Police, and Boston Police have linked at least four sexual assaults to a single perpetrator who has not yet been identified. Three of the confirmed assaults took place along the Esplanade while a fourth took place in South Boston’s Moakley Park. All were committed late at night or early in the morning, primarily on weekends, and all targeted women who were walking or jogging alone.
The victims collectively described their assailants as being a clean-shaven African-American male in his mid-20s to mid-30s, standing 5’8” to 5’10”. At the time of the attacks, he had a medium to large build and a bald head or closely-cropped hair with a widow’s peak.
“We want people to enjoy everything Boston has to offer, but we want you to do it safely,” DA Conley said. “Stay aware of your surroundings wherever you are, and don’t allow yourself to be isolated by a stranger.”
“The State Police and our law enforcement partners at the Boston Police and Suffolk District Attorney Conley’s Office have committed numerous assets, both human and technological, to enhancing safety on the Esplanade,” Colonel Alben said. “But we also ask visitors to do their part as well – if you see something or someone suspicious, please call 911 immediately and report it. And please take the basic steps necessary to increase safety in this and all outdoor public spaces as we kick off another enjoyable summer season.”
“I encourage people to come out and enjoy this beautiful city” Commissioner Evans said. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and apprehend this assailant. Public safety is and remains my top priority.”
The unsolved attacks include:
1. A July 14, 2009, incident in which a woman was assaulted near the Massachusetts Avenue footbridge shortly after midnight;
2. A July 29, 2007, incident in which a woman was robbed and assaulted near the Hatch Shell at about 3:30 a.m.;
3. A June 16, 2007, incident in which a woman was assaulted near the Massachusetts Avenue bridge shortly after 11:00 p.m.; and
4. A July 29, 2006, incident in which a woman was assaulted in the area of Joe Moakley Park at about 3:00 a.m.
While the victims of any crime, including sexual assault, are urged to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence in Suffolk County may also call the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The BARCC provides legal assistance, counseling, and other services to the victims of rape and sexual assault.
Anyone with knowledge of the crimes or the suspect, or who was present near the scenes at the times noted above, is urged to contact the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817, call the toll-free Boston Police CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS, or text the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463).
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
