DETROIT – Local 4 has learned that Detroit police are investigating the attack on a woman early Thursday morning as being connected to a possible serial rapist in the area.
The woman, who is in her 20s, was abducted off the street while she was walking down Mack Avenue on the city's east side at 1 a.m.
She was then taken into the alley behind Greater Missionary Baptist Church, stabbed in the neck, shot in the leg and sexually assaulted. Her attacker tried to set her on fire.
She came to consciousness after a few hours and was able to get help.
Ravendale Community Council leader Toni Mcllwain said she's horrified and outraged.
"If you can't get up and walk to a bus stop or go where you want to go without being snatched off the street, you know, it just makes you want to cry," she said.
Mcllwain said high weeds and empty buildings are making it too easy for criminal to stalk their prey.
"This young lady had a right to walk down Mack Avenue," she said.
The victim was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Sources tell Local 4's Shawn Ley Thursday morning's attack is at least the third case where a woman was abducted, raped and an attempt to set them on fire.