Students concerned after alleged sexual assault and carjacking near CCU’s campus

CONWAY, S.C. (WMBF) – The Conway Police Department says they are looking for two men who sexually assaulted a woman near the campus of Coastal Carolina University and took off in her car.

Officials said officers were called around 4:15 a.m. Sunday to the Cove Apartments on Highway 544 an assault and battery involving a carjacking.

According to a police report obtained by WMBF News, a 19-year-old victim told police she was sexually assaulted, with the suspects fleeing the scene in her car. The victim was taken to Conway Medical Center for treatment.

Police described the vehicle as a grey 2015 Subaru Legacy with Massachusetts plate “983DX4.” Multiple photos of the vehicle were shared on the department’s Facebook page.

Freshman student Ella Kensley said she feels uneasy knowing this happened at all, and even more so because police haven’t made any arrests yet.

“I mean, personally - I was scared. We need to be feeling safe if you’re paying this much. I know my parents were a little scared,” she said.

David Roper, CCU’s head of public safety, said he believes this is an isolated incident but also understands why some students feel on edge.

“Based on this incident and what has happened, we have increased uniform patrol, we have put additional members of our police department out, especially during the night and we’ve also increased the number of individuals who can give our students our safe rides,” Roper said.

Still for students like Kensley, she said she’s not sure if it’s enough.

“Even though campus has, they can pick you up it takes a while to get there, or if you’re off-campus, it doesn’t really help.”

According to police, both suspects are Black males in their late teens to early 20s. They both should be considered armed and “extremely dangerous.”

Police described one suspect as 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 inches tall, with “very short wavy hair” and a large build. He was reportedly wearing a black T-shirt and black basketball-style shorts.

The second suspect is described by police as 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-tall, with a slender athletic build. Police said he was wearing a red T-shirt with a white design on the front and black athletic pants. He was also wearing a red nylon hair cover with small black designs.

If you have seen the vehicle or have any information on the assault, call the Conway Police Department at (843) 248-1790.

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