UPDATE: Special Victims Unit Investigates Sexual Assault in Oakland
Published on March 03, 2024
Date: March 3, 2024
Incident Type: Sexual assault
Location: Zone 4
Summary:
UPDATE: SVU detectives have charged Javonne Thompson, 35, with Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Attempt, Robbery, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Unlawful Restraint, Indecent Assault, Terroristic Threats, Possessing Instruments of a Crime, and Tampering with Evidence.
Thompson was already in the Allegheny County Jail on unrelated charges.
Original post:
Pittsburgh Police Special Victims Unit detectives are actively searching for a male actor following a reported sexual assault that occurred at around 2 a.m. on March 3, 2024 in the 200 block of Melwood Avenue.
A female victim told police she had just gotten off a PRT bus at the corner of Centre Avenue and N. Craig Street and was walking home to her apartment talking on her cellphone when someone came up behind her and told her he had a knife or a gun. He told her to stop talking on her cellphone.
The suspect took her into a back alley and forced her to remove her undergarments. He then threatened to kill her and punched her in the eye. The victim also saw a knife during the assault. The actor put her phone in his side pants pocket.
The victim said at some point the actor must have heard something and been scared off because he fled the area in an unknown direction. She then walked to her apartment and called 9-1-1.
A male who lived in the 200 block of Melwood also called 9-1-1 after hearing what sounded like a sexual assault.
Pittsburgh EMS transported the victim to the hospital to be treated for her facial injuries and to receive further evaluation.
The male is described as approximately 5'7", 150 pounds, possibly in his 30s. He was wearing all black clothing and a black ski mask.
This is a very active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Special Victims Unit at (412) 323-7141 or call 9-1-1.
Reporting PIO: Cara Cruz
2024-03-03
PIO@pittsburghpa.gov