Herald h Lantern 28

Police Suspect Same Person Committed Four Sex Attacks

By KH1STEN KAMMER CAPE HAY - Four of' arm •exuai assaults io the Cape May ares sum mer may have been committed by the same person, according to Marie Hayes, investigator for the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. v . “We bare found similarities m four of the here s the J carrying a knife, and asks the victim for money,” Hayes said. “He also tells them to take off their clothes so they won’t follow him. We can’t be certain, but it could be the same person " The West Cape May area experienced the most recent assault attempt on Sept 6 at approximately 2 a.m. in the Broadway Street arep. The victim was coming borne from work when she was approached by a man who attempted to sexually assault and robber. OF THE THREE other similar cases, two occurred on Aug. 28 and 29 in the West Cape May.area and the third on July 25 in Cape May city. Dectective Nick Federoff of the Cape May Police described the assailant as a black male, around six feet - tall, approximately 160 ‘ pounds, short hair, possible mustache, and in his 20. Federoff said he was concerned about the increase of sexual assaults this

it’s such a busy time,” he said. This summer, manpower has been down and crime has gone up. There seems to be more of an phare on petty issues instead of important crimes like assaults and burglaries. “These cases also can be extremely timeconsuming,” be said. “It’s hard to find the time to f6Uow the different leads. Sometimes you can spend a whole day running down leads and end up having nothing to contribute to your report “We have been working with the county prosecutor’s office and they've been a big help.” Federoff said. Hayes, who is beading the West Cape May investigation, said she feels that her position as an investigator in these cases is important to the local police departments for two

“SEXUAL ASSAULT cases can be difficult to work on especially in the

“WHAT USUALLY happens is that the officers think a woman can work better with another woman," she explained. “I think it’s probably easier on the victim to tel] her story to another woman than a male officer. “Also, -West Cape May needs all the help it can get since it has a small department,” Hayes said. When a sexual assault occurs, Investigator Hayes said the most important step is to make the victim fed supported. The next step is to get as much inf or matioc as possible for the report.

“I usually meet the victim at the hospital and I’m there with her through the whole cxmMntiwi,** v said. ” I try to develop a rapport with her and sure she is in the proper state of mind to talk about the situation '“After all the information and evidence is collected, I turn it over to the detective, and proceed to work on the case with them, Hayes continued. ' Rape is still one of the lowest reported crimes.” “and anything 1 can do to help the victim and encourage others to report any instances, I’U do." POLICE RECORDS indicate the assaults took place as follows: > June 9,3 a.m., Broadway Beach area. Cape May, aggravated sexual assault. July 10,. 2:10 a.ip., Franklin and Washington Streets, Cape May, attempted sexual assault. July 25, i:15 a.m., in the Chalfonte Hotel, Howard Street, Cape May, ag- - gravated sexual assault and burglary. Aug. '28, 4:30 a.m., Broadway and Elderedge Streets, West Cape May, attempted sexual assault and burglary. Aug. 29, 3 a.m., parking lot of Dr. John Heckel’s office, Washington Street, Cape May. Aug. 30, 3 a.m., Gold Beaten Alley, West Cape May, attempted sexual assault and burglary. Sept. 6,2 a.m, Broadway Street area, West Cape May, attempted sexual assault and burglary.

City Offers Course On Rape Prevention

SKETCH OF SUSPECT Sex Case Suspects Sought WILDWOOD - Police are using composite sket cbes, drawn from descriptkms by the victim, in the hunt for two men involved in a sexual assault on a young woman last month According to police, the wcknan was approached by two men on New Jersey Avenue at 4:15 a m. Aug. 13 and forced to walk four blocks to a desserted area. There the first man made the victim remove her shoes and give them to the second man, who left. THE FIRST MAN then sexually assaulted the woman, police said. He is described as five feet, eight inches tall, with brown wavy hair, a mustache and an unshaven face. He was wearing a blue denim cap. ^ The second man was described as six feet tali, with dirty bkmd-brpwn hair and no facial hair. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Wildwood Detective Division or Investigator Marie Hayes of the County Prosecutor’s office.

CAPE MAY - The city will offer a two-week course in rape . for the first time, but I Affairs Director Terry Brown said it has nothing to do with the seven sexual assaults that occurred in the'area this summer. “I just feel there’s a need for it,” he said. “We tried to offer it last year, but lacked space. “This is a fine opportunity for women to learn selfdefense," hie added. The course begins Oct. 4 at the Franklin Street Civic Center. Sung Woo, a black

belt with 27 years experience in assault defenae, will instruct. Although martial arts techniques will be presented, the course is not designed to instroct the stu dent exclusively, in that discipline. -No men except the in structors will be involved in the group lessons. The course will be di vided into two classes that will meet on Oct. 4,6,11 and 13 Class one will meet from 9 to 11 a.m.; class two from 6 to 8 p.m. 'Fee is $15.

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