Community Alert: Boston Police Investigating Two Reports of Sexual Assault in Roxbury
The Boston Police Department is issuing a community alert following two incidents of Sexual Assault in Roxbury. The incident descriptions are as follows:
Incident #1:
At about 11:26am, on Saturday, February 2, 2013, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a call for a report of a sexual assault in the area of Columbus Ave & Washington Street. On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that she was approached by the suspect and a conversation ensued. The victim stated the suspect led her to an abandoned property in the area of 2900 Washington Street where she said the suspect sexually assaulted her and then fled the area.
The victim describes the suspect as a black male in his thirties, clean shaven, approximately 5’7” to 5’9” tall, approximately 150 – 200 lbs in weight, wearing a dark colored knit winter watchman’s style cap, a blue jacket with a green-colored under collar, light colored pants, dark colored sneakers with a white tip and side stripe.
Incident #2:
At about 7:51am, on Sunday, February 3, 2013, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a call for a report of a sexual assault in the area of Columbus Ave & Washington Street. Officers spoke to the victim who stated she met the suspect earlier in the week and they agreed to meet him at local establishment later in the week. On Sunday (02-03-13), the suspect and the victim met on Washington Street. Similar to the incident reported a day earlier, the suspect led the victim to an abandoned property in the area of 2900 Washington Street where she was sexually assaulted by the suspect.
The victim describes the suspect as a black male in his thirties, clean shaven, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall, husky build, approximately 200 lbs, wearing a blue winter hat, blue winter jacket, dark colored pants and possibly black boots.
Investigators are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit at (617) 343-4400. Community members wanting to assist this investigation anonymously are encouraged to call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department stringently guards and protects the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual assault and is in need of helpful resources, please contact the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center 24 hour hotline at 1 (800) 841-8371.
Personal Safety Tips:
• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. When parking, walking or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.
• Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
• Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles.
• Don’t become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device.
• Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use the whistle to signal residents that you need assistance.
• Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” and/or “Rape!” are ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
• Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Call ahead to your destination to alert them that you’re on your way. Make sure they expect you at a certain time, so that in the event you fail to show up, they’ll know enough to begin looking for you.
• Walk with confidence. Be assertive. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Know this: anyone at any time can be a victim of crime. Don’t assume, “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.”
• If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to scare, distract or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape.
• If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant or residence.
