Posted on 08/11/2002 3:53:37 AM PDT by AStack75
T driver fights off sex attack: Latest in series sparking fear in Hub-area women
With fists flying, a fearless MBTA trolley driver working alone near Cleveland Circle early yesterday morning managed to fight off an attacker who ambushed her aboard an empty Green Line car and tried to tear off her clothes. The 2:36 a.m. incident, which took place after the close of service at the T's Reservoir yard, is the latest in a rash of sexual assaults that have left Hub-area women scared to go out at night. ``Fortunately, she's a great fighter,'' interim T police chief Bill Fleming said of the 36-year-old part-time motorwoman. ``She fought hard. . . and kicked his (butt).'' Yesterday's incident follows a string of rapes in the North End and Brookline that have sent women scrambling to Boston Police for firearm permits. Dozens of scared and nervous women descended upon the District 14 station in Brighton yesterday, lining up outside to sign up for the permits during extended registration hours. The ID cards are required not only to purchase a gun, but also to carry pepper spray. There have also been about a dozen assaults in Brookline and Brighton since last fall, ranging from rapes to the pervert perpetrator robbing the victims at gunpoint and demanding they fork over their panties. That suspect is described as a Hispanic male between 5-feet-8 inches and 6-feet tall, with a thin mustache, thick Spanish accent and slicked-back black hair. In the North End, where at least seven women have been raped or assaulted over the past three months, authorities are looking for a dark-haired Caucasian between 20 and 30 years old, 5-feet-8 inches to 6-feet tall and 150 to 190 pounds. There may have also been at least one copycat rapist in the slew of North End attacks, according to police. Despite some similarities in the descriptions of the three perpetrators, Fleming downplayed any conneciton. ``We've met with Brookline (police) and we've met with Boston (police). . . but at this time it doesn't appear to be the same guy,'' said Fleming. While Cleveland Circle is close to where some of the places the Brookline attacker has struck, Fleming said the earlier assailant displayed a different MO than yesterday's. ``That guy appears to have had a weapon in most of those and he's a talker,'' said Fleming. ``This guy didn't say anything. . . he just grabbed her from behind and almost immediately began trying to rip off her clothes.'' Fleming said yesterday's victim was in the process of moving a Green Line car when the assailant jumped her from behind. The two battled until the woman managed to break free and flee the train. But the assailant attacked her again outside before she finally was able to make a run for it. T police estimate the terrifying incident lasted three to four minutes, with the attacker managing only to rip the orange vest off the driver. Police dogs tracked the assailant back to a Brookline neighborhood less than a mile away before losing the scent. ``We definitely think he's from that neighborhood,'' said Fleming. Nonetheless, Fleming lamented having to wait for the two tracking dogs to arrive from Dorchester and the North Shore. ``We lost some precious time (yesterday morning),'' he said. It's unclear if the attacker sneaked aboard the train through a rear door or if he had been hiding there since the train's last run. ``She just knows he came up behind her,'' said Fleming. ``The question is if he was on the train all along.'' T drivers are supposed to do a check of their vehicles at the end of the night to ensure no one is still on board. Fleming acknowledged ``it would be real hard to hide on the last train.'' T police are also investigating whether the assailant might have had inside knowledge of how the rail yard oeprates. During the week there's usually a crew of track workers nearby, but not on weekends. The train was sealed off yesterday as detectives searched for evidence. Fleming said the T worker ``didn't get a good look'' at the attacker, but described him as a tall, white male with a muscular build and short, dark hair slicked back. ``We believe he might (also) have a few scrapes and bruises because she got off a few good shots into his face,'' said Fleming. T police will station officers and attack dogs at Reservoir yard to thwart any more incidents. Fleming said the victim was too distraught to provide a description for a composite sketch, though T police may try to put one out later this week. ``She's still shaken up. . . (by) the trauma of being attacked by this moron,'' said Fleming. Boston Police will hold two more firearm registration sessions this week, one at the District 14 Station in Brighton on Wednesday and another at the District 1 station on New Sudbury Street on Saturday.
by Doug Hanchett
Sunday, August 11, 2002
However, subsequent police analysis suggests that the mustache might have been glued on, the black hair dyed over a salt-and-pepper base, and the "Spanish" accent a clumsy attempt to conceal a Deep South intonation.
Big Mac wrappers dropped by the perpetrator at the scene of several of his attacks might also be important clues, said the police.
I heard an announcement on the radio yesterday and from what they said it sounded like the permits would only be good for mace and they were only appealing to women.
I'll say it again...nobody ever raped a .38!
People in Mass are going to realize the lies they've been fed all these decades and wake up to the benefits of gun ownership. I know, I KNOW! But...it is a DREAM I have. (bonus points for identifying that movie)
Are you trying to imply that Sick Willie Clintoon was "Johnny on the spot"?
For shame, for shame.
ROFLMAO!
Yep, they always rap about right wing extremists, but when it's a leftist democrat welfare extremist who thinks he can get free thrills and sex in Boston too, the description are pretty tacit and anti-profiling.
I think folks are missing the most significant part of this story:
The fact that the police and others are applauding the victim(s) for fighting back!
Isn't this some kind of major policy change?
Besides being simple common sense, of course.
The only question I have is: Who is the *real* moron here?
Tuor
If anybody is pressed too hard on the stupid Mass. laws, couldn't they just claim that the whole thing was illegal under 2d Amendment to Federal Constitution?
Not legally unless they have a MA License to Carry.
If anybody is pressed too hard on the stupid Mass. laws, couldn't they just claim that the whole thing was illegal under 2d Amendment to Federal Constitution?
Sure you could, but no Massachusetts politician will ever listen.
Haha, you're real funny.
In case you haven't noticed, the Constitution is dead. Has been for over a hundred years.
It's just a piece of paper.
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