Friday, May 22--$5K Reward Still On Table For Leads In OC Rape Case

OCEAN CITY - One year after a woman was violently raped in the area of 49^th Street last Memorial Day weekend, the perpetrator remains at large and a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest remains in place.

The attack and rape occurred around 2:30 a.m. last May 24. According to witnesses in the area, the attacker had a dark- or olive-colored complexion and was in likely in his mid-20s. At the time, the suspect had short dark hair and was around 5'7' tall with an average build and possible some facial hair. The suspect is believe to have scars or bruises on both hands. At the time of the attack, for what it is worth a year later, he was wearing a light-colored shirt with blue horizontal stripes, jeans and sneakers.

The suspect was seen by witnesses on 49^th Street just prior to the attack and fled to the beach area after several citizens attempted to detain him. Witnesses reported seeing a man matching the description of the suspect in the area of 49^th Street and later on the beach nearby. The attack touched off a massive manhunt including helicopters, but the suspect eluded capture and remains at large a year later.

This week, the OCPD issued a statement the case is very much open and the $5,000 reward for information about the suspect remains in place. The reward was first approved by the Ocean City Council in the days following the attack and was renewed by town officials last September when the authorization from town officials was about to expire.

OCPD detectives are urging anyone with information about the attack and/or the suspect's identity or whereabouts to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-723-6604.