WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are investigating a sexual assault and an unrelated battery that occurred early Saturday (Sept. 19).

The sexual assault took place around 1:17 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 19) in the 200 block of University Street. Purdue Police Chief John Cox said a woman reported that she was posing for a picture with a group of friends when a man walked up from behind and fondled her. When the woman screamed, the man released her and left the area heading east.

Officers from the Purdue and West Lafayette police departments arrived and searched the area, including the nearby University Street Parking Garage, but were unable to find anyone matching the description provided by the woman.

The assailant was described as a dark-skinned man with dark, short, curly hair. He was wearing a tight, white, fitted T-shirt and gray pants.

The battery, which occurred in the 300 block of Waldron St., took place shortly after midnight. The victim told police there had been a fight, and he had been hit on the head. Cox said the injuries were minor and that the victim declined medical treatment.

The suspect was described as a white male approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 175 pounds. He had facial hair on the bottom of his chin and short blond hair. He was wearing a white shirt under a black, hooded, zip-up sweatshirt with gold markings on the sleeves, jeans and a teal baseball cap worn backwards.

Anyone with additional information about these incidents is asked to contact the Purdue University Police Department at 765-494-8221.