In the wake of a fourth reported sexual assault in less than six weeks, San Luis Obispo Police officers are searching for the man potentially responsible for the outbreak. The latest episode took place in the 200 block of Chorro Street at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 20.

In a manner similar to the previous three attacks, the suspect approached the victim from behind and forced her to the ground, according to a release from the department. The woman managed to fight off her attacker, who fled on foot toward downtown. The victim described the suspect as a white male in his late 20s, approximately 5-foot-10, and clean-shaven with a medium build.

The two victims assaulted on Nov. 10 also escaped their attacker, who bore a similar description. The third incident, which police reported occurred in early December as a woman exited her car near the intersection of Morro and Pismo streets, resulted in a rape.

Although police representatives have said that the crimes definitely appear related, they have not positively linked the assaults to the same suspect.

"We're treating it both ways it could be the same man or it could not be," said Lt. Steve Tolley. "It would be premature to say they're all the same suspect."

According to Tolley, investigators are now constructing an artist's rendering of the theoretically common suspect, based on victims' descriptions.

To curb the tide of sexual assaults in the neighborhood east of downtown and near Cal Poly, the department has increased patrols in those areas.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the San Luis Obispo Police Department at 781-7317 or Crime Stoppers at 549-7867.