3 attacks in north Mpls put community on high alert

On a warm summer afternoon, Niaayhia Smith enjoys some company outside her north Minneapolis home. Niaayhia says she likes her neighborhood, but she would never sit out here alone.

"It's just terrifying," Niaayhia says.

It's a level of fear Niaayhia says she hasn't felt before. In just a week, police say three women have been raped, all within a block of Niaayhia's house.

"I never even really had to be afraid of walking out of the house at nighttime or around the house, but now I really am because it's crazy, it can happen to anybody," Niaayhia says.

Authorities say the three attacks happened outside, between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. around the areas of 26th Avenue North and Thomas and Oliver Avenues N. A man threatens the woman with a gun, forces her into an alley or between houses, and then sexually assaults her. Police say at least one of the women was punched.

"These women are quite afraid. To put it lightly, they're terrified. This guy's used a handgun and he's forced them into these areas and this is a neighborhood," says Sgt. Jesse Garcia with the Minneapolis Police Department.

Victim advocates say rape in general is under-reported to police and usually committed by someone the victim knows. But these recent cases, which are considered stranger rapes, are rare.

"It sounds like we've got a real high danger time in this particular neighborhood, so the caution would be to just not be out alone, to be pre-thinking, be very aware of your environment, pay attention to what's going on around you," says Donna Dunn with the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Certainly, DNA evidence is always important in sexual assault cases and can sometimes link the crime with a person whose DNA is already in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database. Police hope DNA and other evidence in these cases will help lead them to a suspect.

Investigators believe they are looking for the same suspect in the three north Minneapolis rapes.

They've offered this limited description of the man they're looking for: African American with a medium complexion, light to medium build and 22 to 30 years old.

Anyone with information should call Minneapolis Police at 612-673-2941.

In addition, the following organizations are resources for victims of sexual violence:

Sexual Violence Center: 612-871-5111

Sexual Offense Services of Ramsey County: 651-643-3006

By Trisha Volpe, KARE 11 News Read Trisha's Blog

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