WBIW.com News - state

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Police Seek Man In Sexual Assault

Last updated on Tuesday, July 31, 2012

(GREENWOOD) - Greenwood police are looking for a man who assaulted a woman early Sunday morning.

The attack occurred around 4 a.m. at the Ashmore Trace Apartments, which is located on the south side of Greenwood.

Police say the man got into the woman's apartment through a back patio door.

"Sometime after 4 AM, she was awoken to a man straddling her, holding his hand over her mouth," said Matthew Fillenwarth, Assistant Chief of the Greenwood Police Department.

Fillenwarth said the man also held a knife to the woman's throat, and he repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the course of a couple hours. He also said the woman's children were home with her the whole time.

"Her youngest child was in bed with her at the time, and was asleep, and the suspect threatened to hurt her and her kids if she made any noise," added Fillenwarth.

Police say say the fact the woman didn't know her attacker - makes this an extremely rare case.

"Most of the time, if you're a victim of a homicide, you know your attacker. If you're a victim of rape, you know your attacker. It's these types of crimes, that really generate the most fear in people," said Fillenwarth.

Neighbors say they saw police outside the apartment Sunday and were wondering what was going on.

"That makes me fear for me in the middle of the night and the kids," said neighbor Sherrea Black. "I'm not comfortable being alone anymore... That's right across the street," she added.

Police say they're not telling the public to scare them, but to make them aware and vigilant.

Detectives are looking for a white man described to be in his 30's, 5-foot 6 to 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, with a mustache and goatee with scruffy facial hair.

The suspect was wearing camouflage cargo shorts, light colored tennis shoes and a plaid shirt.

The suspect had tattoos of bricks down one arm and possibly a "tiger tail" on a lower leg.

Police believe that this same suspect attempted to gain entry into a nearby residence earlier in the same evening but was unsuccessful.

The Greenwood Police believe the suspect lives in the area or has local ties and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Anyone with information about this crime or the suspect is encouraged to contact the Greenwood Police Department immediately at 882-9191. Tips can be called in anonymously at 865-0300.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page