Police Begin Investigation Of 'Brutal' Grant St. Rape

Harvard police are joining the Cambridge police in an investigation of the abduction and rape of a Cambridge woman on April 16 in the Harvard parking lot by Leverett House.

Two assailants forced the woman at knifepoint into her car, which was parked on Grant St. near the DeWolfe St. intersection between 7:30 and 8 p.m. They dropped her off by Memorial Drive and Mass Ave at midnight. Cambridge sergeant Albert Haves said yesterday.

"It was the most brutal rape that I've come across in more than 20 years in the department." Haves added.

The woman, who is not affiliated with the University, was released from the hospital Wednesday after being treated for bruises and bites on her face, neck and arms.

Saul L. Chafin, chief of University police, said yesterday he has also assigned an additional officer to patrol the area by the parking lot on Grant St. so that "students would not be fearful of walking around there." But he added he is unsure how long he will maintain the increased patrol.

The woman reluctantly reported the assault two days after it occurred. "She has been very hysterical." Hayes said, adding. "We've been nursing her along trying to come up with more definite information about the composite of her attackers."