Neighbors watchful after sex assault by phony cop
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SEATTLE - Neighbors are keeping a close eye on the streets as police search for a man who sexually assaulted a woman while claiming to be an undercover Seattle cop.
Investigators say the phony cop came up to the 26-year-old victim late Friday night at the busy intersection of Aurora Avenue and 93rd Street.
He claimed to be an undercover Seattle police officer working a sting operation, investigators say. When he asked the victim for her identification, she hesitated - then started walking away.
That's when the suspect allegedly confronted her again, showed a badge this time - and pounced.
Police say the fake cop succeeded in his brutal attack, forcing the woman into a brushy area near the intersection and sexually assaulting her.
Now residents of the neighborhood are keeping a wary eye on the streets.
"It's kind of scary because I do walk around here with my kids," says area resident Will Campbell.
"It could happen to anyone. It's really unfortunate," adds another neighbor, Amanda Angell. "She did the right thing, trying to walk away, you know. I don't think it mattered if he had a badge or not - he had his mind set on what he was doing."
The fake cop ruse with a badge is not new - and it's very easy for anyone to buy a pretty realistic-looking badge. They cost about $7 at some local stores, and they can be ordered online as well. If a fake badge is displayed fast enough - it could fool someone.
Some neighbors of the Aurora Avenue area say that's especially true, whether there is a fairly heavy police presence.
"Oh yeah, I would believe it," says Angell. "There's a lot of prostitution. You see cops here all the time. ... People don't look at it that close. They don't question authority."
The incident also raises the question: What are your rights if approached by someone claiming to be an undercover police officer? If you have doubts, Seattle police say you should ask the person to call for a uniformed officer or a supervisor - or call 911.
The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic man with no accent, about 30 to 40 years old, standing about 5-feet-9-inches, clean cut, with a stocky build and short, dark curly hair.
Neighbors who live near the scene of the attack would love to help catch him.
"We are definitely keeping an eye on things and watching people as they walk on the streets," says Angell.
The victim was treated and released from the hospital.
Investigators say the phony cop came up to the 26-year-old victim late Friday night at the busy intersection of Aurora Avenue and 93rd Street.
He claimed to be an undercover Seattle police officer working a sting operation, investigators say. When he asked the victim for her identification, she hesitated - then started walking away.
That's when the suspect allegedly confronted her again, showed a badge this time - and pounced.
Police say the fake cop succeeded in his brutal attack, forcing the woman into a brushy area near the intersection and sexually assaulting her.
Now residents of the neighborhood are keeping a wary eye on the streets.
"It's kind of scary because I do walk around here with my kids," says area resident Will Campbell.
"It could happen to anyone. It's really unfortunate," adds another neighbor, Amanda Angell. "She did the right thing, trying to walk away, you know. I don't think it mattered if he had a badge or not - he had his mind set on what he was doing."
The fake cop ruse with a badge is not new - and it's very easy for anyone to buy a pretty realistic-looking badge. They cost about $7 at some local stores, and they can be ordered online as well. If a fake badge is displayed fast enough - it could fool someone.
Some neighbors of the Aurora Avenue area say that's especially true, whether there is a fairly heavy police presence.
"Oh yeah, I would believe it," says Angell. "There's a lot of prostitution. You see cops here all the time. ... People don't look at it that close. They don't question authority."
The incident also raises the question: What are your rights if approached by someone claiming to be an undercover police officer? If you have doubts, Seattle police say you should ask the person to call for a uniformed officer or a supervisor - or call 911.
The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic man with no accent, about 30 to 40 years old, standing about 5-feet-9-inches, clean cut, with a stocky build and short, dark curly hair.
Neighbors who live near the scene of the attack would love to help catch him.
"We are definitely keeping an eye on things and watching people as they walk on the streets," says Angell.
The victim was treated and released from the hospital.
