CMPD Investigating Two Separate Sexual Assault Cases Reported Early Wednesday Morning
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CHARLOTTE, NC — Two women attacked by different men, in different parts of Charlotte within almost an hour of each other. As detectives search for the suspects, CMPD is warning women to be aware of their surroundings.
Police say a 26-year-old woman was waiting at a bus stop in Steele Creek around 6:15 am Wednesday morning when a man driving a white van pulled up beside her. He forced her at gunpoint to get into the van, where he raped her. He then left her somewhere on South Tryon Street, where she called police.
About an hour earlier, around 5 am, a masked man attacked a 63-year-old woman power walking on East W T Harris Boulevard in east Charlotte. Police say he told her he had a gun, then forced her into a wooded area where he tried to sexually assault her. She fought back and the man ran off with her phone and purse, which were found nearby.
Neither victim knew their attackers. Stranger sexual assaults are rare, according to CMPD, and account for only 10% of its sexual assault cases.
Police say women need to always be aware of their surroundings and prepared.
“I’m a jogger, I workout too and a lot of times I carry a nightstick or I carry something with me just in case.” Lt. Muriel Hughes with CMPD.
Original:
Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are investigating after two women reported being sexually assaulted early Wednesday morning.
Investigators say both the crimes happened within roughly an hour of one another, but they do not believe the assaults are related.
The first assault was reported around 5:00 a.m. near East W.T. Harris Boulevard in east Charlotte. The 63-year-old victim says the suspect indicated he had a weapon and then forced her into some nearby woods where he tried to sexually assaulted her. He then reportedly took off with her cell phone and other belongings after the victim fought back.
She described him as a black male, roughly 20-years-old, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 140 pounds and wearing a mask.
The second crime was reported around 6:15 a.m. in south Charlotte near West Arrowood Road. The 26-year-old victim says a Hispanic male forced her into his white van at gunpoint, and then drove her to another location where he raped her.
The suspect is described as being shorter, heavy-set, around 35-years-old with black hair.
According to reports, neither of victims knew their attacker.
Anyone with information about either of these crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or 911.
