Man uses surgical gloves during sexual assault

[onedef92]

Man uses surgical gloves during sexual assault

Posted: Jul 25, 2011 3:49 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 25, 2011 4:55 PM EDT

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - A distinct piece of clothing could help find the man who sexually assaulted a woman downtown early Saturday morning.

The woman was attacked while walking alone around 2 a.m. in the 1100 block of East Clay Street. That's the heart of the VCU Medical Center campus.

Right now, the only description police have is that of a large man wearing a white tank top and long jean shorts. He might have a tattoo on his forearm.

They also say he was wearing blue surgical gloves -- which stand out on campus.

The suspect ran away after the victim screamed. Jessica Bostic works in a lab only a few feet away.

"I was like, 'Oh great. That's right in front of our building, our address,'" Bostic said. "[It's] pretty scary."

She says what scares her even more is the suspect used blue surgical gloves, just like the ones she uses.

"You don't know if it's someone else that could be working here or someone that has access to the building that can get in and get the gloves," she said. "That's even scarier, that if I'm in the building by myself and someone has access."

Nearby lab technicians say the fact the gloves were blue is significant. The blue ones are non-latex. They're a little bit more expensive and a little bit more rare, and are commonly used in labs and hospitals.

"He's obviously thought about it if he's wearing the gloves," Bostic said. "He doesn't want anyone to know that, you know, who he is."

Bostic says, like many lab techs, she works late at night, and often walks alone - just as this assault victim did.

"When you're by yourself, it's not very comforting knowing things like this are happening," she said.

You don't have to walk alone if you work at the VCU Medical Center. VCU Police offer a security escort service. Just call 828-WALK.

If you have any information on this case, you're asked to call VCU Police at 828-1234.

[C5SilverBullet]

We have a shop full of guys wearing blue surgical gloves.