Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Royal Oak Police Seek Male Attacker

Officers investigate similar incidents of women being grabbed at night while walking home from the downtown area.

Police are looking for the man responsible for what they believe could be a series of attacks on women in Royal Oak.

The department is investigating a Feb. 6 incident in which a 24-year-old woman was attacked from behind at Gardenia and North Wilson avenues about 1:35 a.m. while walking home from downtown Royal Oak. Police said the suspect placed one of his hands across her face and the other hand on her belt.

The woman fought her attacker and managed to break free. She then ran to her house and called the police.

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The Feb. 6 attack was the fifth woman to be attacked since 2008. Royal Oak Police Lt. Gordon Young said the most recent attack prompted the department to release the information to the public. He said police believe the same person is responsible for all of the attacks. He described the suspect as a male about 5 feet 8 inches tall in his early 20s with short hair, wearing baggy clothing, flannel type shirt and jeans.

Royal Oak police said that since 2008, they have had similar reports involving a man 5 feet 5 inches tall to 5 feet 10 inches tall "accosting women leaving the Royal Oak downtown area in the early morning hours."

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"Fortunately, the women have been able to fend the attacker off," Young said.

In all instances the women were walking alone at night and were able to break free from the attacker without injury, Young said. There have been no reports of weapons and investigators do not believe robbery was the motive.

The majority of these reports involved women being grabbed from behind and groped, police said.

Olivia Purugganan said she was surprised to learn there have been attacks in Royal Oak. Purugganan works at Comet Burger and often walks to her car late at night.

"We usually use the buddy system," she said. Purugganan said there are quite a few people out on the streets between 2-3 a.m. and she usually sees a lot of police cars right downtown.

"You always have to be aware," she said. "There are a lot of random people in the alleys."

Young offered these safety suggestions:

  • Always be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
  • Do not talk or text on your cell phone when walking alone because it detracts from your attentiveness.
  • Walk with a purpose with your head up. Young said it shows you are paying attention.
  • Walk with a group of friends when at all possible. "The more people the better in terms of walking," Young said.
  • Avoid walking alone in alleys.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or who believes they have knowledge that would help the investigation should contact the Royal Oak Police Department at 248-246-3515.


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