Crime In Our Neighborhood

I wanted to let you know some things that have happened in our neighborhood... On July 17th, an article, by Russ Rizzo, ran in the Salt Lake Tribune, it is as follows:

Attempted Rape Suspect is Sought

South Salt Lake police are looking for a man who grabbed a 15-year-old girl off the street, drove her to West Valley City and tried to rape her. The man grabbed at the woman and tore clothing, but she managed to escape him and run to safety, Capt. Tracy Tingey said.

The girl was walking on 400 East near 2600 South on her way to the library at the Columbus Center less than a block away about 11:30 a.m. Friday when a man pulled up behind her a and dragged her into his car.

The man sped off holding the girl by the throat, causing her to lose consciousness for a short time, Tingey said. He parked in a vacant lot near 6340 W. High Bluff Dr. (6200 South) in West Valley City, Tingey said.

During the assault, the man demanded the girl remove her clothes and grabbed at her, tearing clothing, Tingey said. The girl hit the man in the right eye and ran from the car, police said. She ran through a neighborhood to a video store nearly nine blocks away, where she called police, Tingey said.

The attacker was described as 30 to 40 years old, 6 feet tall, clean-shaven and wearing a black shirt and jeans, police said. He had a black tattoo on his left forearm in the shape of a lizard, police said. The attacker was driving an older model red or maroon sedan with right-front damage, police said. The car's front-right headlight was cracked, and the back windows had dark tint, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 840-4000.

This bothered me on several levels. Mostly it broke my heart, it's such a horrible act of violence. And not only does it bother me that this happened in our neighborhood, but in broad daylight!! I know, the only way we can be succesful in our efforts of a neighborhood watch is by keeping our eyes & ears open...being aware of suspicious activity. I know that we can't deter all crime, but we can sure try, but we have to work together, "to look out for each other"!

Also, there have been some cars & homes broken into & some theft by the new construction that have been brought to my attention. Please, please PLEASE, report these crimes to our police department (840-4000). It is so important to do this, for our statistics in our neighborhood to be accurate & to help deter such crime. Also, if there is a person who is caught, but has done several break-ins...the police wouldn't know unless, we as the residents, call & report such activity! So...let's work together & report ALL suspicious activity & crimes!

*** I have heard from our C.O.P. Officer J. Buchanan. He said that South Salt Lake Police is handling the case & if you have any information, the case # is 07G005367 & you can reach them at 840-4000 (fyi, they use the same phone #).