An elderly woman was beaten inside her home, possibly sexually assaulted and then left unconscious by her attacker early Saturday morning.
A Phoenix police helicopter hovered over the Loop 101 at 38th Avenue. Down below, detectives examined a stolen car they believe was taken from the elderly woman who lives just miles away.
"She was up she was watching television in her home in a sofa chair...when she was grabbed from behind and, what she believes, is choked unconscious," said Sgt. Trent Crump with Phoenix Police Department.
Crump says the victim called 911 around 4:15 am when she came to, almost an hour and a half after the attack.
The 76-year old was rushed to a hospital with extremely severe injuries.
Neighbors and friends who drove by the scene Saturday morning expressed shock and anger over what happened.
"She's just an elderly lady that's real sweet and kind...she didn't have an enemy in the world, it's just bad," said Verlan Jones, the woman's friend.
The victim told police she believes the suspect or suspects entered her home through an unlocked door on the west side underneath her car port.
Members of the Eagles Club across the street from the victims house hope surveillance cameras captured something. The attack is putting even them on high alert.
"It could happen to one of our customers, we got women here by themselves too," said Ed Rimby, with the Eagles Club.
They plan to keep a closer eye out and are hopeful police will make an arrest soon.
Police are calling this a possible sexual assault because they are still collecting evidence.
The only description the victim was able to give police was a medium build male.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Phoenix police.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:55:03 GMT
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:53:25 GMT
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman...
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman Business Park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:30:42 GMT
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
