Cornell Police are still actively pursuing investigations into the sexual assault of an Asian female student that occurred Sept. 16, as well as two reports of harassment of Asian females that happened during the following week.

"We are following up on all the information we have on the assault, which is a bias crime, and the two bias-related incidents," said William Boice, director of Cornell police. "I urge anyone who has information to contact investigators at 255-1111."

In the sexual assault case, the victim reported she was attacked by three white men riding in a small white car while she was walking along East Avenue at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 16. Two weeks later, a Cornell police patrol stopped a car fitting her general description. Cornell investigators obtained police photographs of the occupants, who were three young men not from the Ithaca area. The victim could not identify the men as those who had assaulted her. Police patrols are continuing the search for the car and suspects.

In one of the harassment incidents, on Sept. 22, four Asian alumnae driving onto campus at the intersection of Central Avenue and Campus Road were verbally harassed by young white men in a small white car. The third incident occurred on Jessup Road at 11 a.m. during the week of Sept. 18, when an Asian female walking alone was stared at by men driving slowly by in a white car. That student also was not able to identify the men from police photographs as the harassers.

All three incidents were reported to police days after they occurred. Boice emphasized the importance of reporting incidents of assault and harassment immediately to police.

"It's crucial that victims get immediate support," he said. "Timely reporting also helps our investigation."

Cornell police have increased weekend patrols, Boice said, and university officials are reviewing requests by student groups to increase lighting in some areas on campus and extend blue light bus service.