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Police seek suspect in rape, beating of elderly woman

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — Police are looking for a suspect after an elderly woman was reportedly raped and beaten Friday morning.

The Greenwood Police Department responded to the Valle Vista subdivision just before 10 a.m. Friday.

The victim answered a knock at her door, was pushed back into her home, and then beaten and sexually assaulted while having her life threatened.

Police said she was alone at the time of the assault.

Police categorized this as a serial rape case because it was random. The woman did not know the man who attacked her.

They do not have other reports of rapes in Greenwood, but worry that this man is on the loose and could commit another similar crime in a different location.

“A serial rapist will just go through and pick his victims randomly. He may have a certain type of victim he looks for, but he could be in one community now and then another community next,” Assistant Chief of Police Matthew Fillenwarth said.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5′-6″ to 5′-8″ in height with a small to medium build.

He was wearing a black ski mask, medium-colored blue jeans, a white t-shirt and black athletic shoes which may have been Nike brand.

He may have had a neck tattoo and tattoos on his lower legs.

He left behind a black, extra large Geoffrey Beene jacket.

The woman was taken to the hospital with injuries from her attack but police say she should be okay.

Fillenwarth described her as a credible source.

“She’s never had anything like this happen to her in her life. She was described to me as very smart, very articulate, a strong willed woman. She fought and she suffered a lot of injuries in that fight,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Greenwood Police Department at 317-865-0300 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477).

You can also reach the Greenwood Police Department online or on Facebook.

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