Woman reports being raped behind Ypsilanti home
A man lured a woman behind an Ypsilanti home and raped her late last month, according to a crime alert sent out by Eastern Michigan University.
Ypsilanti police are investigating a report of a sexual assault that took place between 9:30 and 10 p.m. July 30 but was not reported until Tuesday. The incident took place near the intersection of Ballard and Emmet streets.
According to the crime alert, a woman — who is not a student — was walking in the area when a man approached her and asked to use her cellphone. The man then took the woman behind a residence and raped her, according to the alert.
The incident is described as a first-degree criminal sexual conduct case. First-degree criminal sexual conduct involves sexual penetration.
The woman described the man as black, in his late 20s, with a dark complexion. He’s about 5-feet-11 inches tall, with an athletic build, shaved or bald head, no facial hair and was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt and long basketball style shorts.
Ypsilanti police Detective Sgt. Tom Eberts said the case is still under investigation Wednesday.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the Ypsilanti police at 734-483-9510 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP (773-2587).
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Mike
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
First let me say that all crimes should be stopped. I do not believe that all crimes committed black Americans are perpetrated toward non-colored people. This victim has singled out a black American as the criminal. We know this crime was committed against a woman. Was this crime committed toward a woman of color? Was this crime committed toward a white woman? It truly does not make a difference in the color except I think that the people should know if we have a rapist targeting a certain group of women?
Megan Turf
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:55 p.m.
One person doesn't show a pattern. Unfortunately, we can't know if there's a target victim type unless more women are raped.
OLDTIMER3
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
Why the 12 day wait to report it ,is what I am wondering.
joe golder
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
What does it matter if it was a student. Good lord a woman was raped. Are townies a second class in Ypsi?
missmisery
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 11:15 a.m.
I hope this alleged perp is found and incarcerated. I wish peace for the victim as well. I also wonder why it matters if the victim is a student or not?
ThinkingOne
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 12:43 p.m.
Being that close to EMU it is inevitable that someone would ask if it was another EMU student. I don't think that the reporter is wrong in anticipating this question and answering it before it is asked.
Mark Hergott
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 3:33 a.m.
I am staunchly against the death penalty. I would not shed a tear if this person were tried, convicted, and sentenced to life without parole. Sadly, only murder gets LWOP in Michigan. This alleged perpetrator could breathe free air again if he were caught. That's just not right.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
That's where my friend lives. It's crime central. Truly the highest crime rate in Ypsi. College life mixed with the Ghetto.
matt1027
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 11:25 p.m.
Yep, houses auctioning for $6000 and I wouldnt even consider it (I renovate and rent houses). Look at what happens to a place when it's populous has no respect for itself or anybody else. Mini-detroit...I wish the bus line didn't connect to our fair city.
Joyce Followell
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.
What a coward!! Ruining another person's life and for what???? It makes me sick thinking how scared she must have been. I feel so badly for her!! It is too bad we can't look out for each other....I hope you catch him!!
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 9:01 p.m.
I hope they catch this guy. And just in case he is reading this, he had best not even think about trying this with me because I will bring a world of hurt into his world. Oh, you can't tell who I am because I post anonymously? Best assume every woman in ypsilanti is me.
Aaron Bookvich
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.
Hopefully they arrest and convict him.
Anna
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.
My condolences to the victim, I can't imagine what she's going through. In general, it's probably a good idea to not fraternize with strangers at night when you're by yourself - especially in a low-traffic area (i.e., a residential area as compared to a bustling city location where many others are present).
Megan Turf
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
@Amy - while very true, there are things that all humans can do to help lower their odds of being a victim. I'm not saying cover up or walk somewhere else. But you can cross the street if a stranger comes walking towards you and you don't feel safe. You can not engage in conversation with a stranger, just keep walking and maybe speed up. Just because many men are taught not to rape doesn't mean they all are taught that. Everyone should still take precautions, like walking with a buddy when possible.
Amy
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 8:21 p.m.
In general, it's probably a good idea not to rape anyone- especially anywhere (whether there are other people around or not).
Ricebrnr
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 5:10 p.m.
Everyone, when some stranger comes to you and asks for, the time, a cigarette, borrow your phone, a dollar OR whatever, BE AWARE that this can be the prelude to something untoward. That initial approach is known as "the interview" where the criminal is sizing you up for victimization. http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/interview.htm Keep your guard up out there. Be aware, be prepared and have a plan!
matt1027
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 11:23 p.m.
@ Caring... you should come join us here in the real world. Nobody IMPLIED (not inferred) that it was the victim's fault. The point was that it's a world full of terrible people and , while it would be lovely to walk without being mugged, raped, hit by a drunk driver,etc that is simply not reality. It's 0% the victim's fault, but (just like the girl killed in the crosswalk recently) an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. Not legally or morally, but realistically we are all responsible for doing our best to ensure our own safety. Should I be able to walk down a dark alley at 3am? Yes. Is it putting myself at greater risk? Yes.
Megan Turf
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 2:44 p.m.
I don't think he's blaming the victim. Women have the right to walk anywhere they want, and the man in this story is 100% responsible for what happened. But if anyone, men, women, whoever the victim of any crime is, is more alert to their surroundings in general, the less likely they'll become a victim in the first place. He's not saying don't walk anywhere. He's saying pay attention when you do and you'll be better off.
Caring
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
It is common for people in that area to be asked for a dollar, etc. I hope you are not inferring that the attack was her fault in any way. Blaming the victim may make us feel safer if we think we could have prevented it, but the fault is 100% with the perpetrator. The woman has a right to walk without being attacked..
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 15, 2013 : 1:51 a.m.
Please be warned if you are in that Cross/Ballard street area that street people can pop up right on top of you without you even seeing them coming.
LaMusica
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
Ugh, another (alleged) rapist roaming the streets...