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Police still working leads in Lebanon rape

22-year-old woman attacked while walking along bike near Guard Armory.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 5:28 PM Sunday, June 14, 2009

Lebanon police said they are still following leads on a rape that occurred on the city’s bike path nearly a month ago.

Around 2:15 p.m. on May 17, a 22-year-old woman was attacked while walking along the bike path behind the National Guard Armory on Taylor Street, according to the Lebanon Police Department.

The attacker was described as a 6-foot white man with close cropped greying hair on the sides and either a shaved or a bald head on top. He also had gray and brown stubble. He was wearing a tight, white shirt, light blue basketball shorts and headphones.

Police believed the man jogged past the victim while on the bike path, then circled back and attacked her near a building adjacent to the softball field behind the armory.

Sgt. Jeff Mitchell said officers are continuing to follow leads while they wait for preliminary test results from the Miami Valley Crime Lab. The results are expected soon.

Mitchell said the victim is still recovering from the attack, but doing “OK.”

“She has been working with the Warren County Victim’s Advocate’s Office and is fully engaged is the services they have to offer,” Mitchell said. He praised the advocate’s office for the work they can do.

Mitchell said while residents should feel safe in the city, they should still take certain, measured precautions.

“Do we live in a safe community? Absolutely,” Mitchell said. “But there are balances and personal decisions you can make to help stay safe.”

He advised everyone to be aware of their surroundings, and to let someone know where they are going and when they are expecting to return.

Police had previously been looking for an elderly couple who the woman passed after the attack. Mitchell said the couple had been found but did not have any helpful information.

Lebanon police have also met with Hamilton Twp. police officers to talk about similarities to a rape that occurred along the bike trail in Hamilton Twp. in 2006. Mitchell said he didn’t believe the two cases were connect.

“There were some similarities, but there were just as many differences,” Mitchell said.

Anyone with any information, should call the Lebanon Police Department, (513) 932-2010.

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My thoughts go out to the victom of this assault. I know exactly what she is going through...yet our county prosecutor is not looking for my rapist and they know exactly who he is. this county is the saddest county to have something happen to you in. I just want justice and closure and I can't get it. I pray this young woman does!!

concerned
2:34 PM, 6/15/2009

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