Ithaca police responded to an assault on the 200 block of South Geneva St. tonight, where a female victim said she was attacked while walking towards the Ithaca Commons.
At approximately 6:54 p.m., the victim said she was struck from behind in the head by an unknown person. After she fell to the ground, the attacker continued to hit her in the face and attempted to steal her purse, an Ithaca Police Department release said.
The victim “let out several loud screams,” and the attacker fled the area on foot towards Geneva and Clinton St., according to the release. She was able to retain all her property and suffered minor injuries.
Several people in the area said they heard the victim’s screams and came to her aid after the attacker had fled. The attacker was described as a “black male, possibly female, wearing jeans and a dark green hooded sweatshirt.”
The incident is currently under investigation.