MILWAUKEE — For the third time in just over a week, police are investigating an assault near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
This most recent case happened around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday in the 3000 block of Downer Avenue and Stowell in an alley between the two streets.
It is about a block from UWM's campus.
"Nowadays you don’t know what to think. It’s just really getting terrible out here," said Denise Cherry who works on campus.
"When it hits close to home it’s different," said, UWM student Stefanie Hamacher.
The UWM Safe Alert says a man grabbed a woman from behind in an alley. Authorities say the suspect forced the victim to the ground and took her backpack.
The suspect got away in a red or maroon Ford Explorer.
"Living right near where it’s happening like I just feel like it could happen to me or my roommates or my friends just any day now," said Hamacher.
Last week, UWM reported two women were assaulted in two days. Both happened around noon.
"I just feel like I have to arm myself even more now which it shouldn’t be like that I shouldn’t have to do that," said Hamacher.
Jaelen Durham, 19, was charged with disorderly conduct in one of last week's cases but released on bond Monday.
Durham allegedly ran up behind a UWM student on North Oakland Avenue, wrapped his arms around her knees and picked her up. The student started screaming and tried to hit Durham before he put her down and ran across the street.
It is unclear if all three incidents are related.
Cherry wants the police to be more present.
"They should with things happening now be out more alert on the streets, and the alleys and wherever," said Cherry.
The suspect description in this latest assault is vague. Police warn people to be alert on and around campus.
If you know anything call the Milwaukee Police tip line at (414) 935-7360.
