Police: Park rape victim not talking

FAIRMOUNT PARK - August 12, 2009 Police say she did tell them her attacker wore white gardening type gloves, dirty jeans and brown work boots. The man also reportedly had the odor of garlic on his breath and had a "gruff" voice.

However, police say since she is not talking, they have not been able to get a better description.

In the meantime, the manager of a nearby gas station says police came by the night of the attack to retrieve video surveillance tape. Perhaps the attacker stopped there for gas or something from the convenience store.

But, even if he was caught on video, it might not do much good if the police can't convince the victim to help them.

They've been talking to her and members of her family to try to get more information.

The rape happened near a parking lot in the vicinity of Bells Mill Road and Forbidden Drive around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to investigators, the woman was raped as she was getting ready to go for a jog.

She said that's when she was approached from behind by a man who placed something on her back and said "Don't scream. I have a gun." No weapon was seen.

The attacker then forced the woman into a wooded area, where she was assaulted.

The man fled in an unknown direction.

The victim drove herself to Chestnut Hill Hospital where police were notified.

Police officials do not have enough information to say if the suspect in this case is the man known as the Fairmount Park rapist, but Commissioner Charles Ramsey says they cannot rule out the possibility that the he has indeed struck again.

It has come to light, however, that this attack comes exactly two years to the day since the notorious rapist last struck in Fairmount Park.

He has been linked to four assaults including the rape and murder of medical student Rebecca Park.

Police ask anyone who was in that area Tuesday night who thinks they may have seen something that could be related to this case to contact Special Victims at 215-685-3251.


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