Woman Beaten, Raped Outside NYU's Catholic Center

A 24-year-old woman was beaten and raped outside a New York University facility early Thursday morning, NBC New York reports.

A man followed the woman along the border of Washington Square Park before he grabbed her from behind, beat her and raped her. The woman was attacked at around 5:30 a.m. as she was unlocking a door at NYU's Catholic Center on Thompson Street, near West Third. The woman, who works in lay ministry at the center, was there to set up a breakfast for priests.

The suspect ripped off her clothes and raped her before fleeing the scene. NYU officials said that the man is believed to have followed her along the south side of Washington Square Park. The attacker also stole her iPhone before fleeing, CBS New York reports.

Police say that the suspect is a black man with an athletic build who was wearing jeans, a gray sweatshirt, a black fedora and had an ace bandage on his arm. No arrests have been made.

The victim was taken to Best Israel Medical Center with lacerations to her face, and has since been released.

The stolen iPhone's Find My iPhone app led investigators to a phone store at Seventh Avenue and West 38th Street, but the store manager would not discuss how the phone ended up there.

An email was sent out to the NYU community by NYU's Department of Public Safety to remind everyone to be cognizant of their surroundings, especially during overnight hours, and to travel in pairs whenever possible.

"Plan your route so that you use, to the greatest extent possible, well-lit and populated streets," the email said.

Some students were shocked by news of the incident. "I was kind of stunned," said Kathleen Barkats. "I had no idea something like that would happen, especially at that time of day."

"I was quite shocked frankly and thought it was extra terrible that it happened at our religious center," said Eleanor Hall Watson, an NYU sophomore.

"I'm completely just blown away, particularly in a learning institution like this," professor Eileen Moon said. "It's just heartbreaking."

The school is urging anyone with information to call 911 and ask to be connected to the 6th Precinct Detective Squad.