By JEFF HARRELL South Bend Tribune Staff Writer WSBT-TV

9:26 p.m. EST, January 5, 2012
They met on Facebook, and even hung out together once at her house.

When the 19-year-old Crumstown Highway woman met up with her new friend a second time at his house on South Brookfield Street Tuesday night, he choked her, raped her, then put a knife to her back and threatened to kill her if she screamed, police said.

The woman could only give police what she believed was the man's first name, but she wasn't sure it was his real name because they were introduced on Facebook and had only spent a brief time together "hanging out" one time at her house, an officer said.

Acting on the suspect's invitation for her to meet at his house Tuesday, the victim had a friend drop her off at a home on South Brookfield Street, where "she believed" he resided, police said.

Once inside, "He grabbed her by her throat, choked her to where she couldn't breathe, then he threw her on the floor and raped her," an officer said.

When she screamed for the attacker to stop, "He put a knife to her back and said if she didn't stop screaming, he'd kill her," police said.

The alleged attack lasted for about an hour before the suspect fled the home.

The victim contacted police, then was transported to an area hospital
where a rape kit exam was performed.

Meanwhile, police spotted the suspect's car sitting in front of the
Brookfield residence.

Officers searched the home, but found no one inside, police said. A
background check on the car's license plate came back registered to a
van.

Neighbors told police a U-Haul truck was seen in front of the home
earlier in the day. A man matching the description of the suspect
appeared to be loading the U-Haul with clothes and other items.

The suspect is described as male, black, 6 feet tall, with a muscular
build, between 170 to 190 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt, a black
coat and jeans.

Staff writer Jeff Harrell:
jharrell@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6368