PORT ANGELES — City police are investigating the report of a female victim who said she was raped on a late August afternoon along a heavily traveled, downtown portion of the Waterfront Trail, Deputy Police Chief Jason Viada said Monday.
The victim, whose age Viada would not disclose, “has some information about who the suspect might be,” Viada said.
“What’s been reported is a forcible rape. The information is being followed up on by detectives.”
The victim said her attacker was an adult male, Viada said.
“I’m not ready to release more details about the suspect.”
Viada said the attack occurred at the Hollywood Beach entrance to the Waterfront Trail near the east bridge, and east of the playground area and the Red Lion Hotel, Viada said.
“It most likely occurred on a day in late August,” Viada said.
“The best we can do at this point is, [it was] in the afternoon.”
The assault was reported late Thursday afternoon.
A city police officer took a report from the victim at her home after police were called to go to the victim’s Port Angeles residence.
“It’s on us to be as patient with the victims of traumatic experiences to do the best they can on when they communicate with us, to be patient with them and allow them to communicate with us at the pace they are able to.”
Viada said it’s up to people’s judgment on precautions they take while walking the trail.
“It’s up to people to make their own decisions on where to walk and when and how may people to walk with and what to carry when they do that,” he said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
