By Tim Clifford

The King County Sheriff’s department is desperate to apprehend a suspect in the rape of a woman in White Center.

On Mar.7 the 58 year old victim (who has chosen to remain anonymous) was walking to the bus stop on Roxbury near 24th Ave. after dinner with family when a young black male, about 5’9 with a medium build, in his 20’s and wearing a hoodie approached her and asked for a cigarette. The victim gave him a cigarette and was about to light it when the suspect grabbed her by the throat and dragged her to a nearby lot where he punched her multiple times before sexually assaulting her. Afterward the suspect ran away with the victim’s purse.

The victim was left unconscious in the lot with her eyes completely swollen shut, a fractured skull, and a broken jaw. She was so unrecognizable after the attack that she was able to show a picture of herself in the hospital during a recent interview on Q13 News without fear of being recognized by her normal face. It has been over a month since the attack and the victim is still recovering from her injuries and cannot eat solid foods again yet.

“We definitely fear that this guy might victimize someone else. He brutally assaulted our victim and we definitely want to find him” said Sergeant Cindi West of the King County Sheriff’s office.

Police have released a sketch of the suspect and a picture of the purse that he stole from the victim. It is a very unique looking pure as it is in the shape of a stiletto high heel. If anyone has information about the suspect or the purse they are asked to call the sheriff’s office at (206) 296-3311 any time of the day or night.
There is also a $1,000 reward being offered by Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).