'This Is Rare': Rapist Breaks Into Minneapolis Apartment Near 'U,' Attacks Woman
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis police are asking for the public's help to find the rapist who broke into a woman's apartment Wednesday morning and attacked her.
According to police, officers responded at about 4 a.m. to the 700 block of 4th Street Southeast in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood on the report of a sexual assault.
The neighborhood, located several blocks from the University of Minnesota, is home to many undergraduate, graduate and former students. University officials tell WCCO-TV it did not send out an alert about the assault. Police were passing out flyers in the neighborhood Wednesday to warn people in the area to be careful.
"It definitely makes me reconsider just the safety around me and knowing that campus isn't always that safe," said student and Marcy-Holmes resident Tiera Sisakda. "I'm definitely going to check and check and double check my doors each night before I got to bed."
Upon arrival Wednesday morning, police met with the victim, an adult female, who told police she was attacked by the unknown man who broke into her apartment. Investigators said she was eventually able to get away and call police. The crime lab processed the scene, and the victim was taken to the hospital and given an exam.
"Most often assaults of this type are domestic related, or there's a previous relationship, but this case appears, at this time in the investigation, that this is a stranger situation, and that is rare," said Sgt. Darcy Horn.
Police said the woman was alone in her apartment before the incident. A vague description of the suspect was given by police: A man in his 50s with brown/red facial hair.
"It is definitely scary, especially a female living with one other female roommate, it does make me a little leery," said graduate student and Marcy-Holmes resident Sara Bugliosi.
Police say a stranger sexual assault like this is very rare, so they're getting the word out. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers of Minnesota 1-800-222-TIPS.
Press conference below:
