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A college student walking alone before dawn Monday near the Mississippi River in Minneapolis reported being sexually assaulted by a man who said he had a gun and attacked her in the woods.

The reported assault occurred about 6:30 a.m. near West River Parkway and Fairview Riverside Hospital as she was headed to the nearby St. Catherine University campus in Minneapolis, said police Sgt. Stephen McCarty.

The woman, in her 20s, went to the hospital for treatment and a sexual assault exam, he said. The sergeant declined to reveal any details of the assault.

The woman said the man told her that he had a gun but did not show a weapon, McCarty said.

According to police:

The man approached the woman and asked for money. Seconds later, he forced her to the woods nearby and sexually assaulted her. She then fled, as did the suspect.

The man is described as black, 35 to 40 years old, about 5 feet 5 inches, with a medium to heavy build and a scruffy beard. He was wearing a navy blue jacket with a zipper.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Sgt. David Mattson at 612-673-2358. Also, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting crimestoppersmn.org.

PAUL WALSH