Columbia Police are investigating a forcible rape that occurred Saturday in the Tenth and Cherry Parking Garage, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

The 21-year-old victim reported leaving a bar on East Broadway near Hitt Street around 1:45 a.m. and then walked alone to her car, which was parked in the Tenth and Cherry garage. In the garage, a male suspect forced her into her vehicle and sexually assaulted her, according to the report.

The victim reported escaping her attacker after a few minutes. He left in an unknown direction.

“She left, and I think she went back to the area of the bar, where she knew other people would be,” Columbia Police Department spokesman Joe Bernhard said.

At 1:57 p.m., a Columbia Police officer was dispatched to University Hospital in reference to the rape investigation.

The victim described her attacker as a white male with short dark blond or brown hair and thick eyebrows, approximately 5’10” and 170 pounds, wearing jeans with a long sleeve button-down shirt.

She was not able to report in which direction the male headed after her escape.

“This has been assigned to one of our detectives, and they are following up,” Bernhard said. “There are video cameras downtown and in the parking garage, so I’m sure they will be using those in their investigation.”

CPD asks anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 573-875-TIPS to remain anonymous or the department at 573-442-6131.