UCLA Campus Terror: Homeless Man Arrested for Assaults
A homeless man, identified as Olumuyiwa Akindafunsi, has been accused of terrorizing several female students on the UCLA campus. Authorities say he followed these women into dormitories and allegedly sexually assaulted them both in hallways and their rooms.
Akindafunsi, 29, was taken into custody after a series of attacks on May 28th, which reportedly targeted five women over the course of about an hour. He pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping with intent to commit forced rape and assault with attempted rape.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the assaults began late at night, with the first victim attacked at Bruin Walk around 11:30 p.m., where her cell phone was stolen. Following this, Akindafunsi managed to sneak past two other women, gaining entry into a secured dormitory. Here, one woman was assaulted, while another was sexually assaulted.
The two victims managed to escape, but he then pursued another woman in a different dormitory, where he reportedly attempted to kidnap her for sexual assault. Fortunately, this student also escaped and sought help, prompting the suspect to flee.
Shortly after midnight, a fifth woman encountered him in a dormitory hallway, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. A witness who heard her cries came to her aid and was instrumental in locating Akindafunsi.
Campus police, guided by witnesses, found Akindafunsi in a parking lot and arrested him. Law enforcement reported recovering zip ties, duct tape, and paracord nylon rope believed to be linked to other sinister intentions.
If found guilty, Akindafunsi could face a sentence ranging from 32 years to life in prison.
This series of assaults comes against a backdrop of increasing concerns about safety on campus, especially along Hilgard Street, a well-known area among students. Reports of women experiencing harassment or being followed in this vicinity have surged, leading one UCLA sorority to hire a private security guard in response to the alarming behavior observed from a homeless individual.
UCLA Police Chief Craig Valenzuela emphasized the severity of such incidents, affirming that the safety and security of the campus community is of utmost importance.
