Aiken Standard - Officials still seeking rape suspect

Aiken County Sheriff's Office investigators have followed up on a handful of leads in their search to find a man who reportedly slipped into an Aiken woman's residence while she was outside checking her mail earlier this month, and upon her return, raped her at gunpoint, officials said.

Deputies said the assault occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 3, at a Kiwi Court residence, located off University Parkway.

The victim said the man held her at gunpoint, forced her to disrobe and sexually assaulted her, said Capt. Troy Elwell, a Sheriff's Office spokesman.

She showed investigators the mailbox, which is about 50 feet from her front door and told officers that the man must have snuck in while she was outside.

After the assault, the victim said the man fled the area, but investigators don't know if the man had a vehicle or if he was on foot.

Investigators have received tips from the public after the sheriff's office issued a media release asking for the public's help but the information has not led to an arrest yet, Elwell said.

A few of the possible suspects were incarcerated at the time of the alleged rape, and others have cooperated with deputies and have also been eliminated as possible suspects, officials said.

"We are still asking the public to look at the composite and tell us if they know someone who even resembles the suspect," Elwell said. "Even if they don't believe the person had anything to do with the crime, they should let us know."

The suspect is described as a black male with a goatee, about 30 to 40 years old and approximately 6 feet tall. He weighs about 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a green shirt and was armed with a small black pistol.

The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709. Individuals also should call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.