Reward offered in rape case
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a man who reportedly raped a 17-year-old Avella girl last week at Cross Creek County Park.
The teenager told police she met her attacker online April 8 through Tango, a social media site, and arranged to meet him that afternoon at the park. The two talked briefly before walking toward a wooded area. She said the man hit her in the head, dragged her into the woods and raped her.
After the assault, the girl was assisted by a woman with graying hair wearing a sundress. The woman tried to call police using her cellphone but got no reception. She also offered a ride home to the girl, but the 17-year-old declined.
State police Trooper Thomas Kress said evidence was sent to the state police crime lab for analysis.
The girl’s attacker is described as a light-skinned Hispanic man in his 20s, about 6-foot tall and weighing 200 pounds with brown, shoulder-length straight hair, blue eyes, a mustache and a short beard. The girl said he spoke both Spanish and English, slurring his words. He had yellowed teeth with gaps. The assailant wore a black, straight-billed ball cap with a purple decal, black T-shirt with a silver paw print decal on the front, blue jeans, black belt and tan Nike running shoes with white soles.
He also had tattoos of an italic capital “A” between the right index finger and thumb and a cursive capital “L” in the same location on his left hand. He had a tattoo of a skull minus the lower jaw on his left back/shoulder area and a cross on his right shoulder.
Police said the attacker drove a light blue, 2008-09 Ford Explorer with a lift kit. It also had two car seats in the back.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
Kress said police are still looking for the woman who assisted the girl after the assault. Anyone with information on her identity or who has more information about the incident is asked to call state police at 724-223-5200.