By Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, August 26, 2010
CLEARWATER — Police have determined that a woman who said she was raped and robbed by an unknown assailant at Plumb Elementary School early Monday morning is an escort who had arranged a meeting with the suspect, authorities said.
Despite inconsistencies in the woman's statements, detectives believe a crime occurred and are actively looking for the man accused of attacking her, said Clearwater police spokeswoman Beth Watts.
"At this point they have established that they do believe she is a victim, and they are working to identify the suspect," Watts said.
But police want to get the word out that the crime does not appear to be a random act, Watts said.
On Monday, a day before the school year started in Pinellas County, police said they would have an increased presence near the school for an undetermined length of time as they investigated the incident.
The 31-year-old woman told investigators that she was near the school around 3:30 a.m. looking for a friend's house when a man approached her and threatened her, then took her to a parking lot at the school and sexually battered her, police said.
Afterward, the man stole the woman's purse and ran off, police said.
Since then, detectives learned the woman had escort service ads on at least two web sites.
She had arranged to meet the man in the park across from the school, which is located at 1920 Lakeview Road. Once in the area, the man and woman "moved onto school property, where the victim claims she was sexually battered and robbed," according to a news release.
Video from the school did not capture an image that could potentially help identify the suspect.
But he is described as a 17- to 18-year-old black man, 5-feet-6 and 170 pounds. He was wearing a purple and orange ball cap, a purple and orange jersey, black shorts and black Nike shoes, police said.
An investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information can call the Clearwater Police Department at (727) 562-4420, or remain anonymous and text a tip to 847411. Anonymous tips also can be submitted to the department's website at clearwaterpolice.org.