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Boston police looking for man who broke into sleeping woman's apartment

BOSTON — Boston police are looking for a man who broke into a woman’s apartment and assaulted her while she was asleep early Saturday morning.

The assault occurred at an apartment near the corner of Hemenway Street and Westland Avenue around 6 a.m.

The unidentified victim told police she immediately screamed, which caused the suspect to run off. Police searched the area, but were unable to locate him.

Friends of the victim say there should be more locks and an increased security in the buildings, especially since it's an area where so many college students live.

"It’s really messed up so you know, I think it’s more than being upset, it’s stuff like this shouldn’t happen," said Aidan Wadadawson, a friend of the victim.

Northeastern students received an alert following the crime since the assault happened so close to campus. However, police said the victim did not attend that college.

A public safety advisory issued from Berklee College of Music identifies the victim as a Berklee student.

The alert also told students to always make sure their doors and windows are locked as the attacker entered the victim's apartment through an unlocked back door.

"A lot of buildings, I'll go to a friend's house and the doors are open, like anybody can get in," said Odessa Rain, a student at the Boston Conservatory of Music.

A Berklee campus security guard has been assigned to stand by the back door of the victim's apartment as a safety measure.

"I've been here a long time and you don't hear about this kind of stuff in the area," said Tish, a neighbor.

Neighbors, who say the area is usually very safe, are alarmed by the assault and hope that, with the picture of the suspect, police will find him soon.

The attacker was described as a black male with short hair and was last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt, light-colored pants and sneakers.

Flyers with the surveillance picture of a person of interest have been put up all around the area.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Boston police.

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