Police urge vigilance after 2 attacks

Following sexual assaults on two women who took what they thought were cab rides from Faneuil Hall Marketplace to Cambridge, city officials sent out notices to businesses in the area yesterday urging patrons to be aware of phony taxi drivers late at night.

In both assaults, the women entered what they believed were taxicabs near Faneuil Hall and were taken to Alewife Brook Parkway in the Route 2 area in Cambridge near the Arlington line, where they were attacked, Cambridge police spokesman Frank Pasquarello said.

Police said in the first assault, a woman entered a silver or dark sport utility vehicle. In the second assault, the assailant drove a white vehicle that resembled a taxicab.

''We are communicating with all the major licensees in Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall to be more vigilant at closing times, to have security outside establishments to watch people leaving," Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday in a telephone interview. ''We are asking the owners of those establishments to make arrangements to arrange cabs for those who need it."

Michael Kelleher, general manager of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, said he has placed a security guard in the cab pickup area to check vehicles for hackney licenses.

''We are pretty confident that we have taken measures to hopefully prevent any further incidents," he said.

Boston and Cambridge police are cooperating on the investigation. Boston police issued a warning, reminding patrons to check for an identifying hackney number and medallion on the outside of the vehicle. A picture identification of the driver issued by the Boston Police Department, should be visible inside the taxi, the statement said.

The mayor's office asked businesses to keep watch on intoxicated female patrons. Bars and restaurants were also urged to make an announcement near closing time for patrons to exercise care.

''This is a safe area; there is no question about it," Menino said. ''We are just trying to avoid an incident in Quincy Market."

Police said the two assaults took place sometime after 1:30 a.m. between Sept. 17 and Saturday. Officials would not give specific dates.

The assailants are described as males of similar appearance in their 20s. Officials do not know whether the assaults were committed by the same man.

''There is no way to tell if there are two men until we make an arrest," Pasquarello said.

Officials also sent notices to cab companies in the area.

Larry Meister, vice president of the Independent Taxi Operators Association, said taxi drivers have been given a sketch of the men.

''I just hope they catch this guy," he said.