Sex assault prompts North End warning
Police link attack on lone woman to 2 cases since July
Boston police said they believe a sexual assault this week in the North End may be related to two other attacks, in January and last summer. Patrols have been increased in the neighborhood, and police are urging women traveling late at night to go in groups.
"We feel strongly enough that it may be related to a couple of cases that we've had that we wanted to get the word out," said Deputy Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald at a news conference at police headquarters yesterday morning.
The most recent attack occurred about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday as the woman was walking near the intersection of Richmond and Fulton streets, a quiet, residential section lined with trees and old-style street lamps. The woman told police she was attacked from behind by a man who appeared to be in his late 20s.
Word spread fast through the close community, long known as relatively safe, especially for women. Lynne Poland, who runs a dog-walking business, said e-mails were exchanged this morning among a network of dog owners warning of the assault.
"It's always felt like a safe neighborhood," said Poland, 47, who has lived in the North End for 25 years. "But as this starts to happen, it's really scary. I don't want it to get to the point where people don't want to live here anymore."
The North End bustled yesterday as it does most days during spring and summer weather, with tourists eating pizza and pastries, school groups toeing the Freedom Trail, and longtime residents congregating on sidewalk benches. Kim Abrano, who lives less than a block from the scene of the crime, said she is not overly concerned that the latest attack will damage the atmosphere of the neighborhood.
"You don't have the tourists here during the late hours, and the people who live here are so into the community they're almost always in pairs or groups," said Abrano, 58.
The attack location and suspect description are similar to the two other sexual assaults reported in the North End in the past year. Police said the suspect from Wednesday's attack was thin, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with dirty-blond hair and a medium build. He was last seen wearing a navy blue or black baseball hat with an unknown logo, a white, ribbed tank top, dark shorts that reached to his knees, and dark footwear, police said.
On Jan. 14, a woman walking along Charter Street - about five blocks north of where Wednesday's attack occurred - was approached by a man, grabbed, and sexually assaulted, before fighting him off, the victim told police. That suspect was described as a light-skinned Hispanic male, about 6 feet tall, with short hair, medium build, 25 to 30 years old, and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
The third attack transpired about 5:15 a.m. July 13, 2007, on the same street, police said. A woman walking was attacked from behind, police said, and the suspect fled after a brief struggle. The description was similar to those given for the other two assaults, said Elaine Driscoll, police spokeswoman.
Police said women should take steps to protect themselves late at night, including carrying a cellphone, wearing sneakers or shoes that allow mobility, and traveling with others.
Boston police urge anyone with information to contact the department's CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463).
Four-week self-defense courses are being offered by police. Those interested can contact their district community service officer.
Christopher Baxter can be reached at cbaxter@globe.com 