PORT RICHMOND - June 2, 2009 (WPVI) -- Police have arrested the man identified as a person of interest in the rape of an 11-year-old girl in Port Richmond on Monday morning.Jose Carrasquillo, 26, was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon in the vicinity of Front and Clearfield Streets. Carrasquillo was placed under arrest on an outstanding warrant for a contempt of court charge from a previous case. There has been no arrest warrant issued for him in association with the rape.
Surveillance video obtained by Action News shows Carrasquillo walking on Front Street when residents spot him. They recognized him from photos put out by Philadelphia Police.
The residents then pummel him to the ground. Carrasquillo lies motionless until an officer spots the beating. As more officers arrive, the crowd breaks up.
Carrasquillo received numerous head injuries and was transported to Temple Hospital in critical condition.
Sources tell Action News that residents cheered police and high-fived each other when they showed up to arrest Carrasquillo.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says Carrasquillo has more than a dozen convictions. He was also previously arrested for a sex crime, but Action News is told the victim did not want to press charges.
His family says he just got out of prison two months ago, after serving six years behind bars.
Investigators are also looking to see if Carrasquillo is involved in other rapes.
However, police say they have enough evidence to convict him, and expect to charge him by Tuesday morning.
This all began around 8:30 a.m. Monday.
Police say the 11-year-old girl had just dropped off her sister at daycare and was heading to school when the her attacker approached her in the 3000 block of Kensington Avenue.
"At some point in time [he] threatened to shoot her, but a gun was not seen," said Capt. John Darby. "He threatened her and forced her to walk with him."
The two ended up in the 2000 block of E. Westmoreland. That's where, police say, the man forced the girl behind a home and raped her repeatedly.
"At some point in time either he flees or she's able to get away," said Capt. Darby.
The girl was able to flag down a passerby, who called police.
Police said earlier in the day that physical evidence ties Carrasquillo to a dirty backyard where the child was "sadistically" assaulted.
The Fraternal Order of Police had announced a $10,000 reward for an arrest in this case.
This announcement comes after Philadelphia Police released surveillance pictures, which captured a person of interest near the scene of the rape. It is unclear if police believe Carrasquillo to be the man caught on camera.
The young victim underwent surgery Monday afternoon. She is now in stable condition.
Police continue the investigation into this case. Anyone with information is urged to call police at (215) 686-TIPS (8477) or dial 9-1-1.
1 comment:
Sometimes the rapist gets beaten...to death.
I was abducted, beaten and sexually assaulted by a stranger; a recidivist pedophile predator who spent time in prison for previous sex crimes; an animal hunting for victims in the quite, suburban neighborhoods of Rhode Island.
Although he was arrested and indicted, he never went to trial. His trial never took place because he was brutally beaten to death in Providence before his court date. 34 years later, no one has ever been charged with the crime.
Pray for the 11-year-old girl in Philly. Pray that she get's the counseling, support and love she needs to grow strong and find peace.
My novel, Men in My Town, was inspired by the actual events surrounding my abduction, beating and sexual assault and the murder of the man who attacked me. Men in My Town by Keith Smith is available now at Amazon.com. For additional information, please visit the Men in My Town blog at www.meninmytown.wordpress.com.
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