SANTA CRUZ (BCN) -- Santa Cruz police are releasing a sketch this week of a man who  allegedly sexually assaulted two women in the city in October.

The assault happened in the early morning hours of Oct. 23. Two  21-year-old women from Santa Cruz were walking on Blackburn Street near  Laurel Street when they heard footsteps behind them, according to police.

The victims moved to the middle of the street to see who was  approaching them when the suspect came up behind them and grabbed one of the  women under her skirt, police said.

The suspect grabbed the second woman by the ankle in an attempt to  knock her to the ground. Both women yelled at the suspect, who did not say  anything to the victims before he ran away, according to police.

The women reported last seeing the man running toward downtown  Santa Cruz, but he was not found by police. Neither woman was injured during  the attack.

The suspect is about 30 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and 185  pounds. He is described as having a light complexion and heavy build, and  "military-style" hair.

He was wearing a short-sleeved blue shirt with white writing or a  graphic on the front, and blue jeans, according to police.

Police developed a sketch of the suspect based on the victims'  description.

Based on the suspect description, Santa Cruz police believe he may  be responsible for similar attacks that have occurred in the area in the past  several months.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the  investigations section of the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820.
           
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