Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Cuyler-Brownville area early Sunday morning.
The 14-year-old reported she let her dog out in the yard near Hopkins Street and West 44th Street Lane about 4 a.m. then followed it into the lane when it slipped from its leash, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman. There, a male she had seen in the lane grabbed her from behind. She woke up on a porch with indications she had possibly been sexually assaulted., Miller said
The assailant was described as a black male with a dark complexion, approximately 5- foot-7 to 5-8 in height and a thin build.
Both metro police and public school police have been conducting extra patrols of the area and schools have been warning girls walking alone to avoid lanes and hidden areas and to call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious after several teenage girls have reported being accosted by a tall, slender black male who covered his face with a shirt .
Police are asking anyone with information that can help them to call the anonymous CrimeStoppers service at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
Investigators can be reached confidentially at 912-525-3124, and most area clergy have agreed to serve as liaisons for anyone who would like to share information with police anonymously.