IRVINE : UCI Offers $5,000 Reward for Rapist

UC Irvine administrators are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who raped an 18-year-old female student on campus last week.

The rape occurred at about 11 a.m. on April 22 in the first floor restroom of the physical sciences building. It was the first rape reported on campus this year, school officials said.

The attacker reportedly pushed the victim back inside of the restroom as she was trying to leave and indicated that he had a gun.

The attacker was dressed in black, including a ski mask, turtleneck, long nylon jacket, jeans and tennis shoes. He also wore surgical gloves.

He is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 155 to 165 pounds.

“We are asking for help from the campus and the community,” said Horace Mitchell, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life.

“Our hope is that someone saw something or knows something, no matter how small, and that will aid in the investigation of this deplorable crime.”

Anyone with information should call Dennis Powers, assistant chief of police at UC Irvine, at (714) 856-8240 or 856-5223.

Also, the campus will hold a rape prevention forum from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Center. The public is invited.