WASHINGTON — Police in the District are investigating a horrific claim from a woman who says she was carjacked and raped at gunpoint before being forced to jump into the Anacostia River in cold, snowy weather.
According to a report from D.C. police, the victim was approached by the suspect while she was sitting in her car Tuesday night in Southeast on Buena Vista Terrace, near the D.C. border with Maryland.
The man took out a gun, got into her car and forced her to drive to a secluded area where he raped her, the report states.
“The suspect then made the victim drive to another location where he made the victim exit her vehicle,” D.C. police said in a statement. “The suspect then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.”
That other “location” was Anacostia Park, according to the victim, who claims the suspect forced her to jump into the freezing Anacostia River before he drove off.
Investigators say the woman kept her cellphone with her and was able to call 911 for help.
When rescue crews arrived, they found her “partially submerged in the Anacostia River, clinging to a concrete ledge at the shoreline,” according to U.S. Park Police Sgt. James Dingeldein.
“Park police officers were able to retrieve her from the water, wrap her into a blanket and place her in a waiting D.C. Fire and EMS ambulance,” Dingeldein said.
D.C. police are now working to track down the suspect and the victim’s car.
The car is described as a black 2016 Toyota Camry with damage on the front right bumper and a D.C. tag of FB0193.
Investigators describe the suspect as a black man, approximately 18-25 years in age and 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall with a medium complexion.
“The suspect has a thin build and was last seen wearing black jeans, a black jacket, a hooded shirt under the jacket,” D.C. police said. “Anyone who can identify this individual or who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.”
There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect.
