Photo: UCLA Police Department
A man accused of attacking five women on the University of California, Los Angeles campus in less than an hour has been charged with multiple felonies, authorities said.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Olumuyiwa Akindahunsi, 29, allegedly sexually assaulted two women, attempted to sexually assault a third, and physically assaulted two others late on Wednesday (May 28) and into early Thursday (May 29) at UCLA’s Westwood campus. Four of the victims are UCLA students, and officials stated that Akindahunsi was not a student and did not have permission to be on campus. He was described as homeless by campus police, who took him into custody shortly after midnight with zip ties, duct tape, and paracord in his possession.
The assaults began around 11:30 p.m. on the main pedestrian walkway, where a woman reported being approached from behind and having her cellphone stolen. Minutes later, Akindahunsi allegedly followed two women into their secure dorm building, sexually assaulting one and physically assaulting the other before fleeing. Officials said he then entered a different dorm and tried to kidnap another woman in a hallway, but she escaped. Just after midnight, he is accused of sexually assaulting a fifth woman in her dorm hallway until a resident intervened, prompting him to flee.
Akindahunsi was found near a campus parking structure and identified by witnesses and victims. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged him with one count of attempted kidnapping to commit a forcible rape, three counts of assault with intent to commit a forcible rape during a first-degree burglary, and two counts of assault likely to produce great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces up to 32 years to life in prison and lifetime sex offender registration.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, "These disturbing attacks strike at the core of campus safety, traumatizing five victims and unsettling campus life." The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Negin Mostadim of the Sex Crimes Division and remains under investigation.
Akindahunsi pleaded not guilty and is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Reception Center with bail set at $2.3 million. Anyone with information is asked to contact UCLA Police Department at (310) 825-1491.