Police: ‘Rape’ email over the top

Today, I received 2 of the mentioned emails. The article below is from the Taunton Gazette --

Police: ‘Rape’ email over the top

GateHouse News Service
Posted Apr 09, 2009 @ 11:21 PM
Taunton —

An e-mail warning of a “serial rapist” in the Taunton area circulated rapidly Thursday among parents and students throughout Taunton and Raynham, delivering some sound advice, police said, along with a bit of fear mongering.

The e-mail referred to the March 27 beating and rape of a woman on Route 28 in Middleboro.

“They think it’s a serial rapist that did the same thing to a woman in Raynham. They are saying if you get hit in your car from behind do not pull over and call 911 right away,” the email states. The origin of the message has not been identified.

In the Middleboro attack, an unidentified driver bumped the car driven by a 45-year-old Weymouth woman, causing her to pull over. The attacker then reportedly forced his way into the victim’s car, beating the woman unconscious and sexually assaulting her.

The attack was profiled on the homepage of the nationally syndicated crime show “America’s Most Wanted.” The report also referred to a case of a sexual assault in Raynham last September, indicating that the incident may have been committed by a serial attacker.

Raynham police confirmed that an incident occurred last September but said it remains an “open case” that is not a confirmed incident of sexual assault.

Raynham Police Chief Louis J. Pacheco said in cases like the Middleboro attack he’ll report the circumstance of an incident to other police departments. “If it develops we’re willing to share it with other people and other police departments,” he said. Middleboro police detective Robert W. Lake said there is no evidence linking the Raynham incident to the Middleboro attack. “We have not connected it to any other towns at this time,” he said.

There were no developments in the case, Lake said, but he was waiting for forensics results as part of the investigation.

The suspect was described as driving a white or light-colored full-size sedan, but description of the attacker is not known.

While saying calls for a serial criminal are premature, Pacheco said the e-mail was accurate in stating that people don't have to stop right away after an accident, even if they see blue flashing lights.“

If you have a minor accident you always have the right to go to a place that is completely safe,” he said.

Let's use common sense and caution, but not allow ourselves to over-react.