Search Continues For Suspect Accused Of Raping 12-Year-Old Girl In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The search continued Friday for a suspect who police said raped a 12-year-old girl in the Bronx.
The attack happened just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The girl was walking in the area of East Tremont Avenue and Southern Boulevard when police said the suspect walked up to her, grabbed her and threatened to kill her if she screamed.
Surveillance video shows him as he first attempts to take her into two buildings on East 179th Street. After realizing the doors were locked, he forced the girl into an alley near Daly Avenue where he raped her, police said.
Search Continues For Suspect Accused Of Raping 12-Year-Old Girl In The Bronx
The little girl then ran home to her mother, who called police. The girl was taken to the hospital and later released.
Neighborhood residents were shocked by what happened.
"Extremely horrific and I hope they get the kid," resident Frankie Romero told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "Hopefully he goes down for this crime because no female should ever be victimized or violated like that."
"Me just hearing all of this bad news and walking to home and school by myself, it's scary," West Farms resident Leah Lopez added.
Ashley Rodriguez described the area as a hotbed for crime, but even here, the allegations are disturbing.
"It's horrible," she said. "It's not a good place for kids."
In a community filled with young children, many parents are now using extra caution.
"We can't walk home, we can't send them to after-school programs," one mother told 1010 WINS' Al Jones. "That's sad."
"I walk with my daughter," one parent said. "I don't want to leave her alone for that very reason."
Investigators said the victim and the suspect did not know each other and that it was a random attack on the street. Police describe the suspect as a dark-skinned male, around 5-foot-2 and in his early to mid-teens.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
