Police in Berkeley are trying to figure out if two recent assaults are part of a troubling new trend: girls attacking girls.
For the second time in the past few months, police are investigating a case that involves teenage girls who have reportedly attacked female students on or near the UC Berkeley campus.
UC police say a 19 year old female student was assaulted on April 14 by two teenage girls on the West side of campus.
"She was walking and talking on her cell phone. From behind two women came up and assaulted her, pushed her to the ground, punched her," said Leuit. Eric Tejada of the UC Berkeley Police Dept.
Tejada said the suspects made off with the victim's cell phone and wallet.
In February, Tejada said three teenage girls attacked two female students with pepper spray and tried to rob them as they walked along Dwight Way near campus.
Now campus police are working with the Berkeley police department to see if the two cases are connected.
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"It's definitely troubling to see that kind of trend, if it is a trend that young girls are involved in that," said Tejada.
UC police are urging students to be on guard. They recommend students limit their use of cell phones and other electronics while walking. They also want students to utilize Cal's free walk service.
Students learning about the attacks say they're very concerned and plan to take precautions.
"It's really terrifying to hear girls are attacking other girls," said Biology Major Sunni Nelson. "I'll probably call my friends to walk me back home if I end up going home late and calling the night shuttle," she said.
Police say if students find themselves in a pinch, they can use Cal's emergency "Blue light" phones that are stationed all over campus.
The student recently attacked managed to make her way to one and call police, leading to the arrests of two girls, who police say were just 14 and 17 years old.
