Jul 9, 2008 11:52 pm US/Eastern
Teen Sexually Assaulted Near Abandoned NYC Church
Police Say Assailant Threatened Victim With Box Cutter
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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K-9 police led investigators to this green house after a teenager was sexually assulted while on her way to summer school in Queens.
CBS
A teenager on her way to summer school in Queens was attacked and sexually assaulted Wednesday morning, and police have launched an intense search for the suspect.
Police say the victim, a 16-year-old girl, was walking down Merrill Street in Springfield Gardens around 8:15 a.m. when she was approached by a man with a box cutter, who forced her to perform a sex act on him. The suspect then fled the scene.
It's a crime that's hitting home with teens.
"It's scary. Like why would somebody want to do that, especially around someplace where you think you're safe, you walk by yourself," Shikira Seeley said.
Added Raquel Swasey: "It's real sad to know these kids out here playing and this maniac is out there raping young girls. I have kids. I have three girls and a son. And it could have been one of our kids."
With helicopters in the skies, police K-9 dogs led authorities to a home about a quarter mile away where those who live there had a rude awakening.
"He asked me for my name and I said as you can see, I am not a criminal but you're treating me like one, as if I raped the girl," a resident said. "And I feel for her and I understand but they could have handled this a different way."
After police left the home they say was a negative lead, two elderly residents were taken away in ambulances -- their caretaker blaming the trauma of the searches.
"My grandma's pressure is 200 over something. It's very high," one said. "I have nothing to say. (The police action was) unjustified … absolutely."
Neighbors watching the investigation were stunned.
"Everything is possible around here because we have so many new houses and new people coming in the neighborhood so we never know what element we're getting," said Sandra Hicks, who lives nearby. "It's very rare, we hardly ever have any major crimes like this. We may have robberies or fights, but never any killings or rapes like this. Nothing."
Added Blanche Maes, who also lives on the street: "It's really shocking to hear anything about it, you know? We just have to learn to be careful and teach our children to be careful."
If you have any information regarding this incident you're urged to call police.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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