Orlando police are investigating the rape of a woman walking home from Revolution Nightclub as a possible hate crime.
According to the police report, the victim left Revolution sometime after midnight and while she was walking home alone, a silver vehicle with three white males inside approached her and began yelling sexually explicit comments, including derogatory remarks about her sexuality, calling her a “dyke.” Police say the men stopped their vehicle and the driver and another one of the men pushed the woman to the ground on her stomach. The vehicles driver sexually assaulted her and said “I’ll show you how a real man feels,” while doing so, according to the police report.
The victim was not able to provide a very detailed description of the suspects but told police the driver had short hair and was wearing a black t-shirt and khaki shorts. According to police, the victim did not know the men who assaulted her and she does wish to pursue prosecution.
When police responded to the call, they went to the victim’s home where they saw she had scratches on her arms, a cut on her chin and blood on her clothing. She was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.
The victim was also unable to say precisely where the assault happened but police say several assisting officers canvassed possible areas where it could have occurred.
UPDATE: According to Sgt. Jim Young with OPD, this is an active investigation and right now, police are working on making sure the report is accurate.
“Detectives still have to confirm what she reported,” he said. “We’re starting to run into a few inconsistencies so that’s all under investigation.”
Young said the possible hate crime designation is a factor, as well.
“That’s based on the victim’s alleging that the suspects made statements both prior to committing the offense as well as during the incident that would indicate that they either targeted her or committed this crime based upon her real or perceived sexual orientation,” he said. If it is determined that the incident is a hate crime, the investigation would move to the state attorney’s office.
In addition to the sexual assault charge, the police report also indicates there was an alleged theft.
“There may have been one or two items of the victims’ that were not located, and we believe the suspects might have taken those items,” Young said, adding that he could not state what those items were in order to “protect the integrity of the investigation.”
Police are running extra patrols of the area, as a deterrent to future crimes and also in the hopes that officers may spot the suspects or identify some witnesses. Right now, there are no witnesses to the crime.
“[OPD’s] Detective was out there for quite a long time talking to people at the bar and other businesses in the area as well, looking for potential witnesses,” Young said.
He asks that anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or who has further information, call Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
