A man sexually assaulted a woman pushing a baby stroller in broad daylight in Franklin Park on Nov. 28 until golfers drove him away, according to the Boston Police Department (BPD) and park advocates.
The man did not hurt the child, but attempted to strangle the woman, who was later treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to BPD and park advocates. The attack happened around 1:30 p.m. on a path near the park’s Scarboro Pond.
“A woman and a park were violated,” said Christine Poff, executive director of the Franklin Park Coalition (FPC), in an email to park supporters. It is the first such attack in the park in a decade, she said.
The FPC organized an anti-crime event, slated for Dec. 1, where supporters are to walk the paths in the early evening carrying flashlights. People can meet at 5:30 p.m. at the park’s Golf Clubhouse.
BPD has stepped up patrols and is urging area residents to be alert and make sure local homes are secured.
BPD described the suspect as a Hispanic man of thin build, about 5-feet-8-inches tall and 150 pounds. He was wearing a black baseball hat, white tank top and blue jeans and carried a long-sleeved black T-shirt in his hand. He spoke both Spanish and English with a strong accent.
Anyone with information should contact the BPD Sexual Assault Unit at 617-343-4400 or anonymously by calling 1-800-494-8477 or texting the word “TIP” to 27463.
From press materials.