Outraged cops hunts for 77-yr.-old's attacker
June 8 , 2007
Adapted from the Philadelphia Daily News
The vicious attack on a frail elderly woman has outraged many, but no one seems angrier than the people responsible for nailing the perpetrator—the cops.
"This was a particularly vicious and cowardly act, committed against a defenseless, 77-year-old woman, in what should have been the sanctity of her own home," said the chief inspector. "We in law enforcement will not rest on this case until we identify the animal that committed this crime and bring him to justice."
The woman was unloading groceries when the man snuck into her home and pounced on her in the dining room, demanding money.
Police said he then tied her up and raped her, then stomped on her chest several times as she lay helpless on the floor, warning her not to call the cops.
"That is why we are here today; we don't want people to be afraid to live in their own homes," said the captain of the special victims unit. "We said this before: these are the worst of the worst cases."
The captain said that the victim is improving but remains hospitalized.
"You're talking about a 77-year-old woman who has been traumatized and obviously still in the hospital receiving medical attention, medical care," he said. "To the degree that she can, she has been very helpful."
Police released a sketch of a man they described only as a "person of interest" in the crime. The assailant is described as black, 30 to 35 years old, 5 feet 9 to 6 feet tall, weighing about 185 pounds.
"He was dark-complected, and he was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, or cut-off shirt," said the captain. "Very close-cropped hair, almost to the scalp, and he was wearing large, oversized, cargo-type shorts."
He said neighbors reported a suspicious man had been seen lurking in the block, and they helped put the composite together. Investigators also believe that the attacker may live in the surrounding area. Possible DNA samples are being analyzed.
"The neighbors should be outraged; we certainly are," the captain said. "A case like this really gnaws at you, because of the age of the victim and the violence that was perpetrated on her." |
