2 arrested in brutal assault of homeless woman in Camden

CAMDEN (WPVI) -- Police say they have made two arrests in connection with a savage attack of a homeless woman in Camden, New Jersey.

The suspects were taken into custody on Thursday. Police say they plan to release further details later today.

Investigators say the victim was beaten, sexually assaulted, and her ears were nearly severed.

"Whoever did this to my sister, step up. She's in the hospital right now. We don't know if she's going to make it or not. So if you did it, be a man, step up," the victim's sister Rachel Robertson said.

Robertson says her sister is a 54-year-old homeless woman who frequents the blocks around Mt. Ephraim and Jackson.

Police say she was savagely beaten early Tuesday morning, likely between midnight and 1:00 a.m.

Camden County police handed out flyers Wednesday offering a $1,000 reward from the Citizens Crime Commission for information to find and convict those responsible.

"The extent of the injuries, it looks like she was dragged several feet. She had abrasions on her. We think this attack took longer than normal, therefore we think there's probably someone who heard something," Camden County Police Captain Greg Carlin said.

Neighbors are saddened by the attack, but not surprised as they say, these can become very mean streets after dark.

"I just come down here to work, that's my strategy, and I live in Blackwood. I moved out of the hood to get away from things like that," Markeyda Fergusion said.

The victim's family says she has repeatedly refused offers of shelter.

Her sister, Linda Lightfoot, saw her hours before the attack.

The next day, Lightfoot said, authorities told her the victim made her way to the door of Virtua Hospital where she alerted a guard.

"She says, 'four guys jumped me and I got raped.' She then collapsed on the floor and that was it," Lightfoot said.

Anyone with information should call the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.