A 25-year-old UCLA student from Fullerton has been arrested for allegedly attempting to rape another student on the Westwood campus last week, according to UCLA police.
Thaddeus Staniforth, who now lives in Los Angeles, was booked on attempted rape charges and is held on a $1 million bail at the Men's Central Jail, announced UCLA.
Police said they were led to Staniforth by persons who told them he looked like the image on a flier circulated on campus after the Wednesday morning attempted sexual assault, outside the Covel Commons Building on the northwest end of campus.
Police arrested Staniforth after executing a search warrant about 9:15 p.m., Friday, in his room at Delta Terrace hall, according to UCLA police.
"This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the programs, relationships and technology we have in place to help protect the campus community," said UCLA Police chief James D. Herren.
"Our detectives deserve credit for their outstanding work," said Herren. "They worked very closely with residence hall officials and others in the campus community to investigate this case and make the arrest. We are very confident we have in custody the person responsible for the crime."
In the latest attack, for which Staniforth was arrested, UCLA police said the female victim had stepped outside her residence hall to use her cell phone around 3:25 a.m. on Wednesday, and was walking back when a stranger grabbed her from behind, forced her to the ground and straddled her, according to the police.
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The man then suddenly stopped and walked away, police said. The victim suffered minor scratches.
The suspect was described as Hispanic, 20 to 30 years old, unshaven, and wearing a baggy black hoodie and baggy black pants.
The incident did not appear to be related to sexual battery incidents reported in early March, according to UCLA police.
