A female ISU student was attacked late Tuesday night while walking near the Lied Recreation Athletic Center, Department of Public Safety officials said.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was walking near the Rec Center about 11 p.m. when a black, two-door car stopped next to her on Wallace Road. The girl was on the sidewalk between the Rec Center and the Power Plant when the incident occurred, said Loras Jaeger, director of DPS.

Jaeger said a white male with spiked, sandy-brown hair got out of the passenger-side door and went after the girl. The assailant “grabbed her, attempting to push her or carry her toward the car,” Jaeger said.

The victim resisted the assault, and the attacker let go of her and fled the scene in his car, Jaeger said. There were two men inside of the car, he added.

“This is the first incident of this type in that area, and we’re prepared to increase law enforcement,” Jaeger said. “Any assault is a very high priority for us, and if in fact this is an attempted kidnapping it raises our concern.”

The attacker was described as a 6-foot 2-inch, medium-built male. He was wearing blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a white T-shirt with some sort of design on the front, Jaeger said. He said DPS also has an idea of what the vehicle looks like.

“The car has tinted windows and some type of lettering on the side, possibly Z-something 4, could be 24, 34 – I mean 24 is one kind of car; 34 is a different kind of car,” he said.

Jerry Stewart, associate director of DPS, said people need to be wary of other individuals while walking late at night.

“In a situation like this, we recommend walking or running in the opposite direction than the vehicle is facing,” he said. “It buys time because the car has to turn around.”

Stewart also said those walking at night should maintain eye contact with those around them so that fears and anticipation are not shown.

“We also conduct one safety walk a year to note where foliage needs to be cut back and lights replaced,” he said. He added that if anyone sees a malfunctioning light on campus, to contact DPS so it can be replaced.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, contact DPS at 294-4428.