Neighborhood On Alert After Victim Fights Back During Attempted Rape
By Natasha Brown
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- "I walk by here all the time going to work. It really is kind of disturbing." Dana Jordan's walk to work has become much more unnerving on the heels of an attempted sexual assault that occurred along her normal path.
"It was the fight of her life," said Captain Mark Burgmann.
Police say a 19-year-old woman found herself in a fierce fight with a man who was trying to rape her. She was walking home at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the 1300 block of Wharton street when she noticed a man following her. That's when police say she quickly grabbed her mace.
"She was aware that someone was following her so she grabbed it and that was the right thing to do otherwise who knows what could have happened," Burgmann said.
Surveillance video from the area provided police with clear images of the suspect. Also a glimpse at the victims struggle, her hand seen here around the suspects neck.
"The offender grabbed her from behind, pulled down the top part of her dress. She fought back, pepper sprayed him and he took off," Burgmann described.
Police quickly began distributing crime bulletins throughout the neighborhood.
Teresa is thankful for the information. After living in the neighborhood more than 20 years, she's more on guard now than ever.
"It's very troubling because it's normally a decent neighborhood but this is disturbing," Teresa said.
"I'm feeling a little more on edge. I just have to make sure I look around at my surroundings and keep my pepper spray on me," Jordan said.
