Providence police believe suspect is connected to more than one sexual assault

Investigators now believe that a suspect in a sexual assault at a downtown bar earlier this month was involved in at least one other sexual assault.

The Providence Police Department is again releasing surveillance footage from Hanley’s Ale House in the incident this month in a renewed effort to identify the suspect.

Police said the man aggressively groped a woman, then, after several bouncers forced him out, punched a woman through an open window of the Pine Street bar. The woman was knocked unconscious for several minutes, the police said. Both women were Roger Williams University students.

Major David Lapatin of the Providence Police Department said Wednesday that police believe an earlier sexual assault occurred several months ago, also at Hanley’s.

Hanley’s recently announced that it was closing, but that was unrelated to the investigation, Lapatin said.

“They were very cooperative and helpful in our investigation,” Lapatin said.

Police asked anyone who might be able to identify the suspect to contact Providence Police Detective Michael Otrando at (401) 641-1374 or Detective Sgt. Fabio Zuena at (401) 243-6332.