Bloomington PD increases patrols in search for attacker - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Bloomington Police are looking for a man who attacked a woman in downtown Bloomington in the early hours of Monday morning.

The 21-year-old woman was walking home from Kilroy's bar in Kirkwood when a man approached her near 7th and Grant Streets. He asked for directions and stepped in front of her.

"She attempted to ignore him. He grabbed her hair and attempted to force her to the ground," said Bloomington Police Capt. Joe Qualters.

The woman told police that the man pulled her hair and tried to force her to the ground, pulling down her leggings and underwear. At that point, she sprayed pepper spray into his eyes and managed to get away.

"She always has it like this, ready to go, when she's walking home alone, she has it like this," the victim's roommate said of the woman's small can of pepper spray.

The woman fled the scene and found a couple walking in the area who helped her call police. She had a laceration to her neck and a welt on her forehead. She did not recall a weapon being used in the assault. The pepper spray she used on her attacker was the type that contained purple dye in it.

The suspect was described as a white male in his 40s wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans. He was described as having short brown matted hair and "rough complexion." Police spoke to a man who partially met her description, but she was not sure if it was the same man and his clothing was different.

The victim's roommate tells Eyewitness News, "She's doing fine. I mean, considering everything, she's handled it really well."

Police put extra patrols in the area, seeking any information about the attack or the suspect. They say the man may have sought medical help due to the effects of the pepper spray and may have "complained of red eyes and some sort of irritation."

A couple Indiana University students told Eyewitness News Tuesday evening they carry pepper spray at night, too. But experts say the best step is to not put yourself in a vulnerable spot to begin with.

"I'm guilty of it, too," said an IU senior. "We've only been here three weeks and I've already walked home alone."

"You need to travel in groups and try not to stay out as late," said another woman.

Contact Bloomington Police at 812-339-4477 if you recognize the suspect sketch provided by detectives.