BOSTON (WHDH) - Boston University students are being warned to be extra cautious as police investigate a possible connection between a sexual assault and other suspicious incidents around campus.
Police are seeking the public’s help with finding Edwin Fantauzzi, 33, who is believed to be the suspect in a rape reported early Saturday morning on Harrison Avenue not far from the university’s medical campus.
The day before, campus police said a stranger forced their way into a student’s apartment and assaulted them. The student reportedly fought their attacker off, but the suspect got away before authorities arrived.
Minutes later, a group of three students reported being aggressively followed by a stranger who offered them a ride in a silver pickup truck.
“It definitely is a little nerve-wracking,” said Janna Foy, who attends the university.
Fantauzzi is from Lawrence and is described as being a Hispanic male who’s about 5′ 7″ and 185 pounds. He was arrested in New Jersey in 2018, where he went by the name Roberto Santiago. He allegedly attacked a child in Roxbury and was charged with intent to rape a child.
“I like seeing that BUPD is still investigating things and that I’m still aware of what’s going on,” Foy said. “I would feel worse if I didn’t know something was going on and then something else happened.”
Students say this is a scary reminder to stick together.
“I definitely try to stay in a group. It sucks that as a woman, I have to think about these things,” said BU student Jennifer Stovesky.
Fantauzzi is charged with rape, assault, and battery.
Anyone with information is urged to call Boston police.
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