LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For most people in the Hurstbourne Acres area, the story is a familiar one.
More than two weeks after a woman called police to report she was raped inside her own home by an intruder, Louisville Metro Police released a sketch of a suspect.
"This type of incident is very troubling and very uncommon," LMPD said in a social media post Wednesday. "We want the community in that area to be cautious, take the extra time to pay attention to your surroundings, and call 911 immediately if you feel you are in danger. LMPD will provide updates proactively as this case evolves. Any images or video we're able to gather will be disseminated through our social media and local media."
Matthew Sanders, a spokesperson for LMPD, said officers responded around 2:30 p.m. April 17 to a home in Hurstbourne Acres on a home invasion and sexual assault. That's in the Taylorsville Road area.
Hurstbourne Acres residents said Thursday they're being more aware on evening walks and dropping kids off at school in the morning.
"I was very surprised, especially that it was an elderly woman," said Julie Upadhyaya, who lives in the area. I have really enjoyed the time that we have been here. We've made a lot of friends in the area."
Upadhyaya moved to Louisville a few years ago to get away from crime in Chicago. She never expected to hear about a home invasion and rape in her new neighborhood.
"This kind of stuff was happening there all the time," she said Thursday. "And we were kind of hoping that that doesn't happen around here, but I guess it does everywhere. That's just really, really sad."
The elderly woman told police that she answered a knock at her front door. When she answered, the suspect knocked her down and raped her. In the middle of the day, neighbors said the street was almost empty. No one called police, and, so far, no one claims to have seen anyone enter or leave the house. The victim, who neighbors said is between 75 and 80 years old, called police and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
"I hate hearing something like this happen," Upadhyaya said. "I really wish it didn't in this area."
Two weeks later, LMPD has released the sketch of a suspect. He's described as a 5-foot-11-inch Black man in his 20s with a slender build and "very white/straight teeth."
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-11-inch Black man in his 20s with a slender build and "very white/straight teeth." (Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
"I really hope they find this person. It's just a tragic story," Upadhyaya said. "I'll be keeping their family in my prayers. I hope that stuff like this doesn't happen again. It's just really sad to hear."
