A UCLA Police Department investigation led to the Friday arrest of 29-year-old homeless man Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi on suspicion of robbery, sexual battery, attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a sex offense. Officers recovered zip ties, duct t
For the third time in one night, UCLA officers were sent to reports of an assault on women—each time describing a suspect who allegedly moved in close, tried to restrain someone, and then fled once students fought back or got help.
The arrests came Friday after police identified the suspect as Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, a 29-year-old homeless man not affiliated with the university. The UCLA Police Department said it recovered zip ties, duct tape and paracord nylon rope as part of the investigation.
Akindahunsi was arrested Friday on suspicion of robbery. sexual battery. attempted kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a sex offense following reports of multiple assaults at UCLA. He is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Reception Center in lieu of $2.3-million bail. police said.
The case began at 11:35 p.m. Thursday, when officers responded to a call for an attempted robbery on Bruin Walk. A student reported that a man attacked her from behind, stole her cellphone and fled, UCLA police said.
As officers searched for that suspect, additional reports came in from residential facilities. Police said there were allegations of more assaults at De Neve Evergreen, Dykstra Hall and Cedar Hall. In each instance. Akindahunsi is accused of attempting to restrain or sexually assault a female student before she either fought back or received help from bystanders.
At 12:05 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of an ongoing assault at Cedar Hall. A witness heard a student crying for help, intervened and then chased the suspect. The witness directed responding officers to Parking Structure 8, where Akindahunsi was taken into custody.
The arrest lands on top of growing concern among UCLA students who have described patterns of harassment around Hilgard Avenue. also known as sorority row. “Instances of harassment seem to be more frequent in recent years — and also this year. ” Ella Hernand. president of the UCLA Panhellenic Council. told the Daily Bruin earlier this month. She said. “Alumni and advisors who lived on Hilgard before are usually surprised and say that it wasn’t like this when they were here.”.
Last month. UCLA sororities hired private security after an uptick in reports of unhoused individuals directing aggressive behavior. harassment and lewd comments toward female students on Hilgard Avenue. Akindahunsi is not believed to be connected to prior incidents at or around the UCLA campus. Richard Mejia. director of emergency communications. said in a statement.
Mejia said private security is coordinated by sororities for their facilities. and that UCLA intends to continue working with the community to support safety along Hilgard Avenue and across campus. He said. “UCPD conducts regular and directed patrols in the area. including increased evening presence. and continues to work with campus partners. student leaders and chapter stakeholders to address concerns and connect students with support.”.
The crackdown also comes as prosecutors in the region continue to pursue other cases involving women near UCLA. Last month. a Santa Monica man. also unaffiliated with the university. was charged with kidnapping a female UCLA student in March to try to rape her. He was also charged with raping a woman unaffiliated with UCLA near Culver City in October.
UCLA police Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi serial assault suspect sexual battery attempted kidnapping robbery Bruin Walk Cedar Hall De Neve Evergreen Dykstra Hall Parking Structure 8 Hilgard Avenue sorority row UCLA Panhellenic Council Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department $2.3-million bail