Homeless man charged with rape on MU’s campus

The University of Missouri Police arrested a man Saturday afternoon in connection to two sexual assault reports on the MU campus. On Monday he was charged with with two counts of rape and one count of sodomy.

The images of Zachery Jones, 21, was taken from a surveillance camera that was connected to a residence hall where one of his victims tricked him into walking towards the building.

ABC17 talked with Major Brian Weimer who said that anyone can be a victim. He advised to be completely alert when walking, only walk in areas that are well lit, and try to always walk with a group of people.

MUPD arrested Jones around 4 p.m. on suspicion of forcible rape and forcible sodomy.

According to MUPD, the first incident of sexual assault happened around 3:55 a.m. in the area of Mumford Hall, near the intersection of Hitt Street and University Avenue.

MU Police say the female victim was walking on the sidewalk on University Avenue when she was approached from behind by an unknown male subject.

After a brief conversation, the suspect grabbed the victim and forced her to the ground as she struggled with him. He attempted to sexually assault her but she was able to fight him off of her and call 911 on her cell phone.

The suspect ran and was last seen in the area of the Dumas Apartments, near Hitt Street and University Avenue.

MUPD is also says a second incident, a rape, was reported at 11 a.m. Saturday.

According to MUPD, Jones is not a student at the university, but homeless.

He is in the Boone County Jail.