Sexual Assaults
A pattern of actual or attempted sexual assaults against Asian women has been noted in the South Precinct area. They date back several months, the most recent occurring the morning of November 28th. The frequency of the assaults has increased, as has the level of aggression as the suspect has progressed from groping from behind to attempting to drag the victim away to continue the sexual assault.
The assaults have most often occurred as the women have exited a Metro bus and are on their way home or on their way to the bus in the morning. The suspect has attacked along routes served by the Metro bus routes of the 7, 32 and 36.It is possible that the suspect rides the bus with the victims and follows them off or watches bus stops. The events have primarily happened during the weekday with the majority of assaults occurring on Tuesdays & Wednesday. While the vast majority of events occurred during evening hours, a few of the attacks occurred in the early morning hours.
The suspect has been described as a black male, late teens to early 30s, 5’9”, thin to medium build, medium to dark complexion. The suspect often wears a hooded sweatshirt or otherwise attempts to conceal his face. As the suspect often attacks the victims from behind, distinct suspect information has been lacking because often the victims do not get a good look at the suspect.
An additional complication we face is that many of the victims have been reluctant to speak with detectives in the Sexual Assault Unit to provide further information. In some cases, where the suspect grabbed the woman’s rear, the victims didn’t feel it was serious enough to report because “all he did was grope me. No big deal”
Additionally, many victims have not responded to detectives’ requests for additional information or victim statements, making it difficult to obtain definitive suspect information or identification.
Given this, it is possible that more attacks and more serious assaults have occurred, but have not been reported. This is extremely troubling because the suspect is increasing his frequency of attacks and the attacks are becoming more aggressive. If allowed to continue, we expect the attacks to become even more violent.
We need to identify this individual and get him off the street.
What You Can Do
LOOK AT THESE SAFETY TIPS: personal safety tips from SPD
REPORT IT!!
We urge anyone who has been the victim of a crime to be as forthcoming and cooperative as possible with the responding officers and investigating detectives. Any additional information can be helpful in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s) of the crime. Conversely, not disclosing information for whatever reason (thinking it’s no big deal, shame or embarrassment, cultural pressures and considerations) can hinder the investigation.
If you have any information which may help us identify and apprehend the individual, please contact Detective Keith Savas of our Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 206.684.5361, email: keith.savas@seattle.gov
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
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