Suspects Sought in West Baltimore Kidnapping, Sex Assault
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Two women were kidnapped and sexually assaulted in West Baltimore on Thursday night. Now police are canvassing for clues. At the same time, the department faces intense scrutiny for its handling of sex crimes cases.
Investigators say the two women were held hostage for nearly two hours by men with guns. Surveillance video captured one of the suspects at an ATM machine.
Friday morning, police trainees combed through a West Baltimore neighborhood, where two women were sexually assaulted at gunpoint just hours prior.
"I can't even begin to think what was going through their minds last night, and that's why we're asking anyone with information today to give us a call," said Det. Jeremy Silbert, Baltimore City Police Department.
Investigators say the two victims were walking to their car near Druid Hill and MLK when they were robbed by two men with guns. The men forced them inside their car and made them drive around for more than an hour.
"We do know that the suspects made several phone calls to acquaintances of the victims attempting to try to get money," said Silbert.
The ordeal ended in a West Baltimore alley, where the men sexually assaulted both women and then ran away. Now investigators are trying to identify them.
City police have come under fire after the Department of Justice report revealed serious concerns about their handling of sexual assault cases.
The report calls city response to sex assaults "grossly inadequate," and says victims are treated with undue skepticism.
In an email cited by the D.O.J., a prosecutor writes: "This case is crazy... I am not excited about charging it. This victims seems like a conniving little [expletive]."
The officer writes back: "Lmao! I feel the same."
The State's Attorney's Office says that prosecutor is no longer working there.
As for police, a new commander has taken over the special investigations unit, and has started making improvements to case management.
Police are reviewing footage from CitiWatch crime cameras for any clues in Thursday night's attack.
Governor Hogan has recently pledged $1 million for advocacy groups supporting sexual assault victims in the city.
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