17-Year-Old Fights Off Abduction Attempt In Center City
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There were some scary moments in an area generally thought to be safe in Philadelphia.
A young woman was attacked but fought back.
The Special Victim's Unit with the Philadelphia Police Department is now investigating and calling this case an Attempted Abduction.
Sources told Eyewitness News the victim is 17-years-old.
News of the attack where they live and work first came as a shock for women in the area because it is in the heart of Center City, on a side street just off of 15th street between Spruce and Locust Streets.
Lauren Tuvell of Center City said, "I mean I always feel pretty safe around this area only because it's always pretty well lit and there are always a lot of people out and around."
Rachel Rodabaugh of Center City added, "No I've heard nothing but I'm going to go inside and tell people."
Rodabaugh lives in an apartment building with its back door facing the alley where the attack reportedly occurred.
"I use it all the time and at night too," Rodabaugh said.
According to the 17-year-old victim, she was walking home in the 1400 block of Bach Place when a man attacked her. It happened Wednesday night, police say between 8 and 9 o'clock. Fortunately, she was able to fight him off and run away. She described her attacker as a white male, at least 5'11", between 30 to 40 years-old with a medium build. He is said to be clean shaven and at the time wearing dark clothing.
Brianna Downing of Southwest Philadelphia said, "Right now you can see there are a lot of people out here, I don't know about who'd be out here in the middle of the week at 8 or 8:30 or 9 o'clcok at night."
Reason why Downing says she already avoids the alley when she can and Rodabaugh says she won't be far behind.
"I'll definitely be more careful when I go out walking. Maybe if it's after dark, I'll go down Spruce as opposed to going down Bach Place," Rodabaugh added.
Police say their investigation is continuing.
