The Fresno Police Department is warning students about an apparent serial groper who has struck at University Village and Plaza Apartments near Fresno State.

The police department believes the suspect has been involved in at least four reported cases, although in recent weeks six females have reported being inappropriately touched by an unknown male. The suspect is described as a black male, 22 to 30 years old, 5-foot-6 to 5-feet-9 and 160 to 190 pounds with a muscular build. He wears either a blue or black hooded sweatshirt.

In the first event, on June 15 at University Village, the suspect approached the victim as she was walking to her apartment. He had his hoodie pulled up as he ran up to the victim and grabbed her buttocks. The suspect then fled northbound through the parking lot, police said. ­

On Oct. 23 at 7:50 p.m. at Plaza Apartments, the suspect approached the victim while she was on her cellphone. The suspect then grabbed her breast. The victim was able to flee. The suspect chased her to her friend’s apartment where he fled east through the complex toward the pool, police said.

The same day, seven minutes after the first assault, the suspect followed another victim into Univeristy Village after she entered the complex. When she reached the bottom of her stairs, the suspect pushed her to the ground and reached under her dress and grabbed her vagina over her underwear. The victim turned around and the suspect stood facing her for a moment and then fled north across the courtyard, police said.

On Nov. 13 at 10 p.m. at Plaza Apartments, the suspect followed the victim as she walked to her apartment from the carport. As she went up the stairs, she heard the suspect approach her quickly. The victim stopped to see who it was and the suspect grabbed her buttocks. The suspect then tried to wrap his arms around the victim, but she was able to kick him away and scream for help. The suspect ran southbound toward the carports, police said.

The department encourages citizens to be mindful of their surroundings at all times; don’t walk alone and stay in well lit areas; don’t hold the door open for people you don’t recognize as a resident; and report any suspicious activity to police.

The police ask to people to contact Detective Joshua Alexander at (559) 621-2471 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, with any information regarding these incidents.