College Student Raped On Campus By Man She Met On Dating App: Police

A woman attending college in New Orleans, Louisiana, was allegedly raped by a man she met through an online dating app, her university's police department said Saturday.

The victim, whose name was not released, was allegedly sexually assaulted in her on-campus residence at Tulane University on Jan. 27, Fox 8 reported.

The suspect has been identified and has been described as a man either in his late teens or early 20s, Tulane police said.

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) was handling the case. The department has not said whether the suspect has been arrested or is still at large.

Tulane police said they were notified about the reported rape Saturday, nine days after it allegedly occurred. It was unclear when the victim reported the incident to the NOPD.

Tulane police were told the victim met the suspect when they matched on an online dating app, according to a message sent to students, faculty and staff.

The victim and suspect allegedly met in the student's dorm room, where the man attempted to engage in sexual activity with the victim, police said.

The student refused, and the suspect allegedly "forcibly sexually assaulted the victim," according to police.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Police are seeking the help of anyone who may have information related to the case. Those with information are asked to contact the NOPD at (504) 821-2222, Tulane Police at (504) 865-5381 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

The incident comes after two men were arrested in California for attempting to rob a man they targeted using a dating app.

Last month, 20-year-old Julio Salinas, of Highland, and 21-year-old Carlos Marin, of Colton, were arrested in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred at an apartment in the 3900 block of Iowa Avenue, located in the University neighborhood of Riverside, California, on Aug. 19, 2021, Fox 11 reported.

Both men were later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for home invasion robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges.

The male victim met the suspect using a common dating app and arranged to meet in person. During the meeting, a second suspect broke into the victim's apartment, and both attempted to rob the victim at gunpoint.

The suspects fled the apartment before police arrived and were not located during an extensive area check, according to Riverside Police.

Police were eventually able to identify the two suspects due to the discovery of one of the guns used in the robbery, along with money related to the illegal sale of "ghost" firearms and evidence of other nefarious activities.

Salinas and Marin both pleaded not guilty to the charges. They are being held on $105,000 bail.