Police Searching For North End Attacker

BOSTON -- Police are once again searching for a man who sexually assaulted a woman in Boston's North End neighborhood early Wednesday.

NewsCenter 5's Steve Lacy reported that the victim told police she was walking on Richmond Street near Fulton Street about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday when she was sexually assaulted. She said she was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted. She said there was a brief struggle before her assailant fled.

VIDEO: Police Searching For Attacker

The assailant was described as a white male in his late 20s, approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with dirty blond hair and a thin-to-medium build. He was wearing a navy blue or black baseball hat with an unknown logo, a white ribbed tank top, dark colored shorts that came down to his knees and dark-colored shoes.

A sketch of the suspect strongly resembles the sketch of an assailant produced after a string of similar attacks in the neighborhood in January.

"There is close enough information between the MO, as well as the description that we feel it may be related. We can't say that as a fact, but we are looking at them as they may be," Boston Police Department Deputy Paul Fitzgerald said.

Residents said they are worried about their safety.

"I feel safe as long as it's not too late at night but I am definitely nervous at night," one female resident.

Police haven't made any arrests and were urging women who live in the area to avoid walking alone in the North End at night and to be aware of their surroundings. They said it's best to avoid distractions such as iPods and cell phones.

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