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Posted: 8/21/2006 4:20:00 PM

911 operator, tough woman stop rape attempt
Source: KRQE News 13
Watch Shauna Clark’s report.


Police trying to indentify rape-attempt suspect.


ALBUQUERQUE -- Quick police work, an alert 911 operator and a tough would-be victim are being credited with stopping a rape attempt.

The 911 operator reported seeing the woman’s northeast Albuquerque address come up on her computer screen early Sunday morning, but there was not one on the phone line.

In the background, however, the operator could hear a woman begging someone not to hurt her.

Police allege a Mexican national they are calling John Doe until they establish his identity broke into the 74-year-old woman’s home.

The woman, however, said she had seen the man in her neighbor’s backyard, which sent her to her telephone..

By the time she called 911, the man had found his way into her home. She told police the man struck her in the back of her head with a hard object and then dragged her by her hand to the bedroom.

She said just before the man was about to rape her, police announced they were outside.

“Very smart thinking on behalf of the victim,” Albuquerque Police Department Officer Trish Hoffman said. “At one point when there was some downtime, she was able to pick up a picture frame and hit the offender in the head.”

Police were able to assist her, and they captured the offender within a few minutes.">

The woman was badly hurt and taken to UNM Hospital where an emergency room nurse told police the woman suffered trauma to the head with both of her eyes being swollen shut.

The nurse also was concerned her hand was broken during the attack.

The arrested suspect told police he doesn't remember what happened, but that he must have done it, according to a criminal complaint.

The man is charged with attempted criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping and two counts of aggravated battery.