WARNING: Woman raped in downtown SLC, Utah
Woman raped in downtown SLC Police: Midday assault alarming Attacker was hiding under a car and grabbed his victim by the ankles By Steve Gehrke The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 11/07/2008 02:11:47 AM MST Salt Lake City police are asking for help finding a man they say hid beneath a car, pulled a woman to the ground and raped her at knifepoint Monday afternoon as she walked through a downtown parking lot. "I've never seen anything like this, ever before," said Salt Lake City police Sgt. Robin Snyder. "It's very unusual and alarming, and we have to get this guy off the streets." The woman had parked her vehicle in a lot on the southwest corner of 400 South and Main Street, just across the street from the U.S. District Court. She was walking northbound through the lot and toward the courthouse just before 4 p.m., Snyder said Thursday. The woman walked between two vehicles when a man, hiding under one, reached out and grabbed her ankles. He pulled hard enough to cause the woman to fall backward to the ground, Snyder said. The man, possibly a transient, then threatened the woman with a knife and sexually assaulted her between the two vehicles, Snyder said. Snyder said police have a good description of the man, and detectives are working on leads. But she cautioned the public to be more cautious and aware of their surroundings. "If you're alone, you really need to be aware of what's around you," Snyder said. "It's not something you'd really think of, to check under a vehicle . . . So if you can, try and look for people in cars and around and underneath cars." Because the man wielded a knife during the attack, police are looking to arrest him on suspicion of an aggravated sexual assault. Police are looking for a man with a dark complexion and an unkempt, dark beard. He has collar-length dark hair and was wearing a dark baseball cap, a dark "Carhartt" style coat, a yellow-plaid flannel shirt and faded blue jeans. The man is believed to be a transient and had substantial body odor. Anyone with information on the man should call police at 801-799-INFO (4636). If you see the man, police recommend calling 911 immediately. Tips for avoiding danger Salt Lake City police are cautioning people to be extra careful in parking lots by being aware of their surroundings and looking for people in, around or even underneath cars when possible. Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Network recommends people: * Park in highly visible, well-lit areas, including near parking attendants, stairs or an exit in an underground lot. * Use the main building entrance rather than rear or secluded exits. * Lock the doors and roll up windows once you are inside your vehicle, and have a plan ahead of time to know where you can go for safety or how to call for help. * Walk with another person or have someone watch you from a window and wave to them on the way to your vehicle. Wave even if no one is watching to make it look like someone is. * Stay on well-lit streets and in the middle of the sidewalk and stay away from hiding spots such as bushes, doorways, alleys and parked cars. * Do not dig in your purse or bag, wear headphones or get too distracted by a cell phone conversation. * Do not carry a heavy briefcase or bags that could get in the way. * Be prepared with keys in hand and any cardkeys needed to unlock doors. * Carry a whistle or other personal alarm. http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10924192?source=rss