Woman raped leaving south Charlotte hot spot
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Police are looking for the suspect responsible for a vicious attack. A Charlotte woman was walking home from a popular weekend hangout when she was assaulted.
"I'm terrified," said Laura Freeman. "It's what, three minutes from South Park Mall?"
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, early Sunday morning a 27-year-old woman was walking home from the bars on Montford Street. Police say that's when they say the assailant assaulted her. The suspect dragged her by her hair and strangled her with his hands, then raped her.
"Well, I just heard it from a friend and I was just surprised because it seems like a very safe area," said Samantha Miller.
Since January 1, there have been more than two dozen burglaries and about 32 assaults in a three-block radius of the area. However, before Saturday's sex crime there wasn't a single sex assault.
"Worked down the street at restaurants," said Freeman.
Freeman is a Montford regular. She's usually there at least once a week.
"It's terrifying in general; it's been around for forever; it's not a comfortable feeling at all," said Freeman.
Copyright 2016 WCNC
