Police call a black jacket a key piece of evidence in their search for a man they say raped an elderly Greenwood woman this morning.
It happened just after 9 a.m. in the Valle Vista subdivision. That's where Greenwood Police say a woman over the age of 70 opened the door to a knock and a man in a black ski mask forced his way inside her home, assaulting and raping her as the woman tried to fight back.
"He's basically an animal. He's a predator," said Greenwood Police Assistant Chief Matt Fillenwarth. "He threatened to kill her if she didn't cooperate."
Investigators said the woman, who lives alone in her home, fought back anyway, but the suspect overpowered her.
The woman told police her attacker was a white male between 5'6" and 5'8" tall with a small-to-medium build. She said the man was wearing a white t-shirt and medium colored blue jeans and black sneakers, possibly Nikes. According to the victim, the suspect may have had a tattoo on his neck but definitely had tattoos on his legs.
Her description isn't the only thing police hope will help them catch this man. They're also hoping someone will recognize the extra large Geoffrey Beene jacket from a picture they're circulating. The jacket, according to investigators, is the one the suspect left behind when he took off on foot.
Investigators have also sent DNA samples to the state crime lab, hoping to get a hit in the system that could tell them who their suspect is.
"We don't know right now if this is some random, just going through the neighborhood or does the suspect live close by. We don't know that yet," said Fillenwarth.
Neighbors Allen and Carole Young said they certainly hope investigators figure it out soon. They've lived in the Valle Vista neighborhood since the late 1980s.
"We've just always felt safe here," said Carole Young.
Now, though, the Youngs said they'll feel safer when police catch the man responsible for the brutal attack on their neighbor.
"It's a tragic thing to have happen to anybody at any age," said Allan Young.
"We'll make sure our doors are locked now. Double check," added Carole Young.
Even when they do catch the suspect, which police said they're sure they will, police said it's still important for neighbors here to never let down their guard anyway.
"The predators, they walk among us everyday. They don't wear a sign that says they do and so you always have to be conscious of that," said Fillenwarth.
Fillenwarth said the woman was treated at St. Francis South Hospital for her injuries.
Anyone with information about the crime or suspect is asked to contact the Greenwood Police Department at (317) 865-0300 or Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.
Tips may also be left online at the
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