Police: Sex assaults in North End may be related

At left, a sketch of the suspect released by police in January. At right, a sketch of the suspect released Wednesday.

By Christopher Baxter, Globe Correspondent

Boston police say that a sexual assault on a woman in the North End early Wednesday may be related to similar assaults in the area over the past year.

The attack occurred about 3:15 a.m. as the woman was walking near the intersection of Richmond and Fulton streets.

The woman told police she was attacked from behind by a man who appeared to be in his 20s. Police said the suspect was about 5 feet 10 inches tall, had dirty blond hair, and had a thin to medium build.

He was last seen wearing a navy blue or black baseball hat with an unknown logo, a white ribbed tank top, dark shorts that hung down to his knees, and dark footwear.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston police CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

Earlier this year, Boston police said they believed one man was responsible for a sexual assault in January and one committed on July 13,2007. No arrests have been made in those cases.

"We feel strongly that [Wednesday's] case may be related to the other cases," Deputy Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald said at a news conference at police headquarters this morning.

Police have increased patrols and renewed warnings for women to be careful, said Elaine Driscoll, a police spokeswoman.

She said police strongly advised women to avoid walking in the area alone in the early morning hours.

"I think that most North Enders are very upset about this. This doesn't happen there all the time. It's been happening. It's a recurrence that won't be tolerated," said City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina.

"I don't know who this creep is. I don't know if he's an outsider or whatever. But I know that, talking to people in the North End, they'll keep their eyes and ears open and they'll look for this guy," he said.

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