As community searches for man suspected of raping 80-year-old woman, they say 'Somebody knows something'

Somebody in the Grandale or Plymouth-I-96 neighborhoods knows something. At least that's the thinking of many of the community members who have been searching daily for over a week for a suspected rapist.

According to police, on March 26, the suspected rapist first approached an 80-year-old woman and offered to help her with her groceries. She said "no." Later, the same man asked the woman for food and money. Again, she said no. And that, according to police, is when the man sexually assaulted the woman on the side of her home.

It was a nightmarish act, committed in broad daylight, involving a senior citizen. The type of incident that grabs neighbors by the collar and demands their attention — and, in this case, the communities collective righteous indignation.

"Somebody knows something," several people have said.

More: Police name suspect in rape of 2 Detroit women, ages 80 and 64

And many community members say they are determined to find out who, in an effort to get justice for the survivor of this brutal attack. And in an effort to bring peace back to their neighborhoods.

Posters and fliers with an image from video camera footage of the alleged suspect that police released are posted throughout the area — the image shows what appears to be a younger male, dressed in black pants and a black hoodie. And Detroit police have put out a call to the community asking for any footage from doorbell or security cameras of homes or businesses in the area near Plymouth Road and Memorial Streets where the attack occurred in an effort to help determine where the alleged attacker may have fled, if he got into a vehicle and what type, or if anyone may have picked him up and helped him get away.

On Social Media, Instagram users are posting their raw emotions, angry that the suspect still has not been caught and may still be lurking on the streets. And that someone in the area may even be helping him evade capture.

One user, who goes by @amir_dopez, posted under a thread on @crimenewswithinthed: "Somebody know who this dusty Mf is and the fact you sitting around this Mf is sick" (using a nasty, green face emoji).

Under another post on @crimenewswithinthed, several folks commented about the whereabouts of the suspect.

Instagram user @g_kk48 said: "Someone for sure letting him hide at they house."

Another user, @linc_way said: "Man and somebody know this dumb mf."

And user @tonieshim said: "His family for sure know who he is smh."

A past victim of sexual assault and founder of the nonprofit organization, Created by the Potter, said she too feels strongly that someone is keeping the perp hidden.

"I definitely think someone is protecting him" Shaqueria Ayers said. "It makes me so angry just thinking about it too, because whoever it is, they know this person has evil in their heart."

Ayers said she was raped by a family member, and even after telling her family what happened people still would protect him. The added trauma such actions inflict only adds to the pain, making it practically unbearable at times. To help with that trauma, Ayers said she is hosting an empowerment dinner in April as a safe space for survivors of sexual assault to come and be supported.

65-year-old, Omaree Jackson, agrees with Ayers. In her mind, she said, there is no doubt that someone is hiding the suspect.

"I'm mad as hell about this right now!" Jackson said. "He's a menace to society. Hell, he's even a danger to me right now."

Detroit rapper, Trick Trick said he, along with New Era Detroit and other outraged activists and community members, have been marching in the streets looking for the suspect since finding out about the incident. The rapper pledged a $5,000 reward to anyone who can turn the suspect in.

Since the search began, two people — one on Thursday and one on Friday afternoon — have been suspected as being the perpetrator by community members out looking for him. But police have confirmed neither of the two men are the correct person.

Trick Trick, whose real name is Christian Anthony Mathis, said these type of atrocities against our women, children and elderly cannot and will not be tolerated. He said he is confident they will find the person responsible. But it is going to take more REAL community members to stand up and speak up.

"We need more members of the community committed to solving the problems on the streets," Trick Trick said. "This is the time where it needs to be all hands on deck."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit community still searching for suspected rapist of 80-year-old