The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Sexual Assault Unit is investigating a sexual assault that occurred in the area of 200 East 5th Street.
On November 3, 2009, just before 3:30 am, officers from the Central Division were dispatched to Mercy Hospital in reference to a sexual assault report. The victim told officers that between 2:15 and 2:30 a.m. she was walking on the sidewalk that runs along side of the light rail line from Dixie’s Tavern to retrieve her vehicle at the Epicentre when she was approached from behind by two men.
The victim stated the men proceeded to force her into an unknown location and sexually assaulted her. The victim told investigators following the attack the suspects ran away before she drove herself to Mercy Hospital.
The suspects in this case are described as two light skinned black males who were wearing dark clothing. Investigators from the Sexual Assault Unit and officers from the Central Division conducted extensive canvasses and interviews in the area following the incident. Investigators are also reviewing video from several surveillance cameras mounted in Center City.
The Central Division will continue to aggressively patrol the entertainment district, paying particular attention to the area in which this crime took place. They will also monitor the area for individuals walking alone to provide personal safety information to prevent future crimes from occurring. Crimes of this type are rare in the Center City, and there have been no crimes with corresponding similarities of this nature reported this year.
Anyone with information on this case can call to speak directly to lead Sexual Assault Detective J. Bumgarner at 704-353-0094. Anonymous tips can also be phoned in to our Crime Stoppers tip line at 704-334-1600.
