Vigilantes Torch Ohio House Where Girl Was Raped

[Skywatch_NC]

Vigilantes Torch Ohio House Where Girl Was Raped
Neighbors Believe Attacker Lived Where 9-Year-Old Was Assaulted

POSTED: 5:13 pm EDT June 21, 2005
UPDATED: 5:56 pm EDT June 22, 2005

HAMILTON, Ohio -- Vigilante justice seems to have taken over in the community where a 9-year-old girl was raped Monday, reported Cincinnati television station WLWT.

Someone set fire Tuesday evening to the house where the attack occurred. Six Mexican immigrants were renting the house, and neighbors believe the attacker lived there, WLWT reported.

Racial tensions rose high after the attack, with some angry residents threatening to burn down the house and take other retaliation against Hispanics in the area. Someone had spray-painted "Rapest" (sic) and "Child Molester" on the house.

The victim's father asked people to let police handle the situation.

"They probably mean well, but they're taking everything in their own hands and they should leave it in the police's hands," the father said.

One neighbor told WLWT the community just wants justice. Some neighbors are alarmed that the alleged attacker is still on the loose.

"They're just trying to get a suspected predator off the streets," Eric Price said. "Everybody's outraged. I can't even believe it myself."

Hamilton police Detective Mark Hayes said vigilantes interfere with police efforts to find the attacker.

"Something like this takes away from the investigation. Now we have another serious crime," Hayes said.

Police searched about a dozen places for the alleged attacker, the station reported. About 50 people gathered at one home while police surrounded and searched it.

Police said they know who they are looking for, but they won't release his name or a sketch because of fear of retaliation, WLWT reported.

"We need concrete information from the public making an identification," Officer Don Taylor said. "Once we do, we will try to get a picture and make a positive identification."

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, 22 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a tattoo on his inner forearm.

The fire did a lot of damage to the house and melted the siding on the house next door.

http://www.wral.com/news/4640597/detail.html

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

[Skywatch_NC]

On another note...I had lived in Hamilton, OH from 1975 to 1985.

Seems that city has really gone downhill!!

I've heard in the past...there's even been alot of gang activity in a 'burb called Lindenwald in East Hamilton where I had lived.

[Miss Mary]

This story was so sad and covered thoroughly on the local news. She ran home naked to her father (thank goodness she got away)! All she was doing was riding her bike when grabbed into his house. That entire community sounds ready to explode and I can't blame them (although I'd never go to these extremes).

Mary

[sunny]

That poor child. This is awful.

[Derek Ortt]

good for the community

maybe now people will think twice before committing this awful crime of rape, the worst crime there is, except for treason

[OtherHD]

good for the community

maybe now people will think twice before committing this awful crime of rape, the worst crime there is, except for treason

I've always thought murder was pretty bad.

JMHO

[mobilebay]

good for the community

maybe now people will think twice before committing this awful crime of rape, the worst crime there is, except for treason

I agree. If communities would start coming together like this, all of this crap would stop. Criminals laugh at our Justice system. JMO

[GalvestonDuck]

So, let's say there's a relative who lives with you. He turns out to be a child molestor, rapist, or serial killer. Do you want YOUR house torched in retribution for HIS crimes?

That's like those doofs who say Florida deserved to get hit with four hurricanes because of their inability to keep tabs on child molestors or, worse, those who say WE (America) deserved 9/11 as punishment for our nation's greed, arrogance, and for how we side with Israel against Palestine.

Why should the family be punished and lose their house? I say, punish the criminal. But now what have these vigilants done? Burned him out of his home so he's on the run, capable of committing the same crime elsewhere.

Furthermore, anybody notice that the neighbor's house was damaged also? How was that justice?

[CaptinCrunch]

The Roof, the Roof, the Roof is on fire, we don't no stinking rapest let the MF burn, burn MF burn.

now you finish the lyrics

[GalvestonDuck]

Another thought -- they were renting the house ("they" being the immigrants who lived with the rapist).

If you were a landlord/property owner, wouldn't you prefer someone turn in a sex offender so that he could be prosecuted and imprisoned (or killed) rather than burning your property? Then you can kick out the rest of the tenants and find a new person to rent the home (preferably after doing a background check).

[streetsoldier]

If this landlord is renting to illegals, he won't be interested in having background checks done. It's all about what he can get out of his property, ladies and gentz.

[Miss Mary]

Suspect name and picture released. He's on the run, so anyone living near the Cincinnati area or tri-state region should be on the lookout for this criminal. Be sure to click on link for his picture.

http://www.cincynow.com/news/2005/local/06/23/rape.html

Name, Photo Of Suspect Released In Girl's Rape

RELATED WCPO STORY
Vigilante Arson at Rape Scene (06/21/05)
Police: Man Lured And Raped Girl, 9 (06/20/05)

Reported by: 9News
Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller
Photographed by: 9News
Last updated: 6/23/2005 11:07:20 PM
Police have released the name and a photo of the suspect in a Hamilton girl's rape.

The nine-year-old was allegedly lured from her bicycle to a home on Sycamore Street in Hamilton Sunday evening and raped.

Within the following 48 hours, the home where the alleged crime happened was vandalized and then set on fire, presumably by nearby residents seeking vigilante justice.

The suspect, who many residents reported seeing the night of the alleged crime, was identified Thursday night as Alfredo Lopez Cruz.

Cruz has many aliases, including Alfredo Lopez Cruiz, Mario Martinez, Richard Martinez, Richard Mario Martinez and Armando Fernandez.

Police say six people have identified the man in the photo as the man they saw kidnap and rape a girl Sunday night in Hamilton.

After the alleged rape, the girl ran home to her father who then went over the home, where the suspect remained. A short chase ensued, police say, but the suspect got away.

He's described as:

Hispanic male
5'4" to 5'6"
130-140 lbs.
Black hair, brown eyes
Possible mo-hawk
Possible goatee without mustache
Anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts are urged to contact the Hamilton Police Department at (513) 868-5811, extension 0 or your local law enforcement agency.

[therock1811]

It's going to be going national soon, probably. Here's WKRC-TV's latest update as of 7:33am:

Break In Child Rape Investigation

LAST UPDATE: 6/24/2005 7:33:06 AM

Hamilton police Thursday identified a suspect in the kidnapping and rape of a nine-year-old girl. Investigators say Alfredo Lopez Cruz attacked the girl inside a rented home on Sycamore Street on Sunday.

Police went door to door with Cruz's picture with information in both English and Spanish hoping to develop leads. CrimeStoppers said it received a number of tips once Cruz was named as the suspect.

Investigators said they were able to identify Cruz based on prior charges that he tried to smuggle drugs into the Butler County Jail. Witnesses, including the alleged victim's father, said the picture matched that of the rapist.

Police said notices about the accusations against Cruz would be sent out to police agencies across the nation. With his picture and fingerprints on record, police were confident Cruz would be tracked down soon.

Anyone with information on Cruz's whereabouts can make tips to CrimeStoppers by calling (513) 352-3040 or toll free at 888-352-3040. Callers do not have to give their names and will be assigned a code number to help them claim a cash reward.

http://www.wkrc.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=962A542B-E0FB-4273-9C8E-A61A3A051609

[Miss Mary]

Another update.....

http://www.cincynow.com/news/2005/local ... ilton.html

It is nice that the community is coming together but I hope they can deter any violence. It has been so hot lately, very humid and with people outraged by this crime, that's not a good combination.

Mary

[Skywatch_NC]

Yes, I hope there won't be riots in Hamilton after the racial strife that's led to them in Cincy.

Eric

[Miss Mary]

That's exactly what I think authorities fear Eric. Our riots weren't that long ago, that they're still a recent memory. And racial tensions haven't greatly improved either.

I'll keep updating this thread with local articles, since Hamilton, Ohio is north of Cincinnati and local news sites are covering this story.

Mary