davis_square | Reposting from Craigslist: Attempted assault reported at Powderhouse

Please note that this did not happen to me, but I just found this posting on craigslist in the community section and figured the wider the information could be relayed, the better. Stay safe!

"I posted yesterday and today about an incident that occurred early yesterday morning in Powderhouse Square (on Broadway--opposite side of the street from the funeral home)at about 4:15 AM.

I was out jogging because I could not sleep (yes I have learned my lesson)and a man attacked me. As I was screaming he said, "STOP SCREAMING OR I'LL KILL YOU!!! STOP SCREAMING OR I'LL KILL YOU!!" I stopped screaming and was able to get away unharmed. I ran away to Davis Sq, hopped in a cab, headed to the police department, and filed a report.

Here is the description:
-Caucasian male, late 20's/early 30's
-dark brown hair, down to below his ears (think of the criminal in "No Country for Old Men)
-fat (280-300 lbs)
-approx 6'
-eyes are skewed (meaning the opposite of cross-eyes: like a fish)
-clothing: white wife-beater t-shirt, jeans, black tennis shoes
-possibly on drugs: he had a crazed expression on his face

If you have seen think you have seen person, PLEASE notify the Somerville police dept at 617-625-1600. I will be calling them tomorrow to see if they have a detective on the case.

I was fortunate enough to get away from this guy, but he's still out on the streets...."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

enochs-fable.livejournal.com

well, the poster said she filed a report, so if it's legit, it should show up relatively soon.

It does sound fishy, and I guess we'll see if it's a hoax - but posting anonymously on the community section of craigslist sounds like a great way to propagate a hoax.

I have to agree with anomie666 - "better safe than sorry," especially when spreading unverified information is just spreading fear.

m-b-w.livejournal.com

A Wallace Street resident posted the following on that street's ListServ. The resident stated that she is friends with the victim and copied this from her Facebook page. While this still isn't as verifiable as a police report, it's more than an anonymous Craigslist post.

Hello friends,

I must share this tale with you guys. It's a true story and it happened to ME this morning.

I woke up very early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. So I gave up, got up, and went on a jog in Somerville (at about 4:15AM). It was still dark out. On Broadway between Teele Sq and Powderhouse Sq I saw a guy out on the street. I thought, "Hrm, that's weird." I kept running, and right before I got to Powderhouse I saw him again. He had obviously caught up somehow from a side street or something. Just as I passed him he grabbed me from behind and said, "I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU SCREAM, I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU SCREAM!" (as I was screaming). I stopped and he sort of loosened his grip (I was elbowing him) and I said, "please don't hurt me..." and bolted for Davis Sq down College Ave. He didn't follow me, as far as I know. I have never been this frightened in my life. As soon as I got to Davis I hopped in a cab and went to the police station and filled out a report there. Then they dropped me home later...unfortunately the cop I told the story to was a bit of a jerk and said, "well, why didn't you call from Davis? We could have had people on it right away..." (I was at the station 20 mins of the whole thing). I said, "WELL I didn't have my cell phone, I don't know where pay phones are in davis, and as soon as I saw a HUMAN in a taxi I decided that was the best place to be..." I don't know if they even went searching.

Here's the description I came up with: white male, late 20's/early 30's, 280-300 lbs, 6', wearing a white wife beater, brown hair hangs below his ears, and his eyes look in opposite directions (like opposite of cross eyes). I think he was drugged out or something.

So yes, there are a few lessons to be learned from this...

1) don't go jogging when it's dark out especially if you are unarmed
2) don't be so naive, dammit
3) be aware of your surroundings and act on your gut instinct when you think something is fishy...

There are tons more things to be learned from this, I suppose...

I am OK--sort of paranoid and skittish, but I just bought pepper spray on eBay and will probably be taking self-defense classes...

I am so grateful to be alive...I suppose I got really lucky. But the video of it hasn't really stopped playing in my mind.

Please feel free to share this with friends/family/people who tend to trust the world a little too much....

That's definitely more data points. Is there any reason not to link to a public facebook entry?

icecreamempress.livejournal.com

So...a more detailed third-hand post. Still, more detailed. Thanks for sharing it, though.

etana.livejournal.com

Still third-hand. Still not verifiable. Still victim blaming.

aki.livejournal.com

Victims often do that.

(Edited to fix horrendous, embarassing typo)

Edited Date: 2008-07-03 12:34 am (UTC)

josephineave.livejournal.com

Do any of you ladies jog with enough money (or credit card) to be able to pay for a taxi? Maybe she found a civic-minded cabbie or one who would then take her home to get paid.