Little Rock police believe rape was second incident on same night

Little Rock police believe that two assailants who raped and beat a woman last week also forced a woman into a vehicle at knife-point earlier that same night.

The department shared photos of a suspect’s vehicle, a blue, newer-model Ford Focus hatchback, and of its driver, but authorities have no more information about the suspects, spokesman Lt. Michael Ford said Monday.

About 10:45 p.m. Jan. 8, officers were called to a home in the 1800 block of West 11th Street, where a resident said he heard dogs barking, then looked outside and saw a naked, bleeding woman running in the street, according to a police report.

The man told authorities he gave the 47-year-old victim a blanket and called 911.

The woman said she got a ride from two men who drove her to the intersection of Fourth and John streets, then removed all of her clothing. They then both raped her, authorities said. The report did not state where the woman was picked up.

About 10:15 p.m. that same night, authorities were called by a woman who said she was at E-Z Mart, 1201 S. Woodrow St., when a stranger approached her and asked “if she wanted to make some money,” according to another police report.

The 31-year-old told officers she refused and started walking east on West 12th Street. The stranger and an accomplice reportedly followed her in a blue vehicle.

When they reached Big Daddy’s Pawn Shop, 2523 W. 12th St., the individual who first approached her got out, brandishing a large knife and threatening to kill her if she didn’t get in the vehicle, according to the report.

The woman tried to fight and was able to jump out near the intersection of West 11th and Wolfe streets. Police noted that she had minor cuts and bite marks on her right hand.