RAPIST ON THE LOOSE IN INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis Community puts $16,000

Towards Arrest of Rapist After 14-year old
Girl is Raped Waiting for School Bus

INDIANAPOLIS--A community is answering a dramatic call for action from an Indianapolis Public Schools principal after one of his students was abducted from a school bus stop and raped last week.

A community meeting was held on Indianapolis' east side Tuesday night, at least partially at the behest of John Marshall Middle School principal Jeffrey White, who scolded community leaders and members for what he called a lack of outrage over the incident, in which a 14-year-old girl was attacked.


"We've got an innocent kid who was raped, assaulted, kidnapped, and made to run in the streets naked, and we have no public outcry from the east side. It's repulsive," White said Tuesday morning. "He's going to do it again and he's going to do it soon. More than likely, it'll probably be back over here because everybody's too scared to speak up about it ... I am expecting today for people to have a reward fund set up -- at least $10,000, and it better come from the churches."


Indianapolis Metropolitan police joined White in sponsoring a community forum. IMPD Chief Michael Spears called the girl's assault an act of pure evil and a loss of ground in the tug-of-war to take back the city's streets. "Everybody who becomes involved in helping us fight crime, everybody who lays a hand on that rope and pulls in our direction is valuable to us," Spears said.


Many parents who attended the meeting said they know the victim could just as easily have been their daughter. "With her having to catch the bus at 6:30 in the morning we're here because we're concerned not only about our children but about our community," said Denice Willoughby. IMPD brass said they have put the full power of the department on duty to solve the crime, but said help from the public is vital. "I'm sure the police department's doing everything they can, but we have to be involved in our own community and come up with programs and things and be proactive in order to combat this problem," said Eddie Ragland.


"There's a lot going on in the neighborhood, and hopefully, it can become a neighborhood again, not just a hood," said the Rev. Steve Kloss. "The people need to come together and actually become neighbors." Churches and community members stepped forward to contribute to a scholarship fund for the victim and reward for the capture of the culprit.

LATEST UPDATE

INDIANAPOLIS - There is now a $16,000 reward for the suspect in the abduction and rape of a young Indianapolis girl. Metro police have lots of tips and manpower on the case. "It's almost insulting that people know who may have done this and they haven't said anything," said John Marshall Middle School Principal Jeffrey White.

That is why John Marshall school officials are now offering a $16,000 reward. They want police to find the suspect who abducted, beat and raped a female student from an east side bus stop Friday. "I really think that someone knows something in this community, yet they have remained silent," said White.


Meanwhile, Indianpolis Metropolitan Police Department has beefed up patrols around John Marshall Middle School with the goal to eventually catch the suspect. "We're out here to support the community to find the guy that did this and you know, hopefully, make a difference and catch this person, you know, put a little pressure on some people and people start talking," said IMPD Officer James Williams.

IMPD currently has 11 detectives, who met Wednesday, working the case. This while other officers lectured students on the dangers of strangers and potential criminals. "We want to help provide a sense of security, help educate the young people about safety," said IMPD Officer Sgt. Timothy Knight. "The reward fund is set up to get this person off the streets. We need to focus on getting this person off the street," IMPD Officer Sgt. Timothy Knight.

The school is also working on a scholarship fund for the young girl, who White says is doing fine considering her situation. Donations can be made at any Huntington Bank Branch. IMPD is following some leads and they appear very concerned about catching the suspect in this case.