Police Release Sketch of Suspect Wanted In Rape Of 17-Year-Old
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police have released a sketch of the man wanted for raping a teenage driver.
Capt. John Darby explained, "What's distinctive about this male is that he does have long side burns and even more important is a star tattoo on the left side of his neck."
The 17-year-old victim told police she was on her way home, stopped at a red light in the 1300 block of Windram Avenue -- when at gunpoint, her attacker demanded that she open the car door.
Darby said, "Now she had the locks engaged but the immediate danger as she told us was that he was going to shoot her."
Scared for her life, police say the victim was then forced to drive about a mile to the 5900 block of North 21st Street where police say she was dragged out of the car and sexually assaulted in a vacant lot.
Artie Dessus of West Oak Lane said, "We have a lot of old people around here and they watch everything so it had to have been somebody who really knew this area."
Benita Graham also of West Oak Lane added, "Because who would know to just run in there and not to think these people may not be looking or something, it's a sad situation."
It's a sad situation neighbors say they had feared. They tell us the abandoned lot was unkept, full of tall weeds so they can see how the attack could have gone undetected when it happened last Tuesday night. We're told the lot was finally cleaned up this past weekend.
As for the suspect, police tell us he fled on foot northbound on 21st Street. The victim described the suspect as:
Age: 20-30 y/o
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210 lbs
Complexion: Light
Build: Medium
Facial Hair: Sideburns
Hair: Skull cap
Clothing: Light grey NIKE sweat shirt, blue jeans, black leather-type gloves.
Tattoos: "Star" tattoo on left side of neck.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.
