Reported rape of 15-year-old West Fargo girl under investigation
WEST FARGO - Police are investigating the reported rape of a 15-year-old West Fargo girl at her home Thursday night, West Fargo Assistant Police Chief Mike Reitan said.
The girl's mother had left to run a shopping errand just before the sexual assault occurred, and the girl's father wasn't home, Reitan said. When the mother returned, the daughter reported the rape.
The suspect entered the home through the unlocked front door, went downstairs to the girl's bedroom, assaulted her and left out the front door in an unknown direction, Reitan said.
The girl's younger siblings were home at the time of the incident, which occurred sometime between 10:20 and 11:20 p.m. on Ninth Avenue West, Reitan said.
Investigators collected "a number of items" as evidence from the bedroom, and officers canvassed the neighborhood to look for other evidence, he said.
The victim indicated she didn't know her assailant, Reitan said. She was taken to a local hospital to be examined.
The suspect was described as a white male, 6 feet tall, with dark brown hair, a beard and a blue tattoo, and wearing a brown jacket and jeans.
"It's important for people to remember to secure their residence, lock your door, even when you're home to prevent unauthorized entry," Reitan said.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information about the suspect is asked to call the West Fargo Police Department at (701) 433-5500.