Woodbridge woman raped at gunpoint while returning to apartment, Prince William County police say

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Prince William County police need the public's help to catch a rapist.

A woman was attacked early Wednesday morning outside her apartment in the 12200 block of Stevenson Court.

It happened around 6:05 a.m. as the victim was getting back to her apartment. A man waiting in the enclosed stairwell with a gun tried to rape her. When unsuccessful, he forced her outside to the back of the apartment building where he raped her at gunpoint.

"At one point, he actually told the victim to walk to the woods for a period of time so he could try to get away," explained Prince William County Police Officer Nathan Probus. "This was a pretty brazen act. It happened when people are probably up getting ready to work, going out to work out and in the stairwell of an apartment building."

Police used K-9 units to search the area and they have been canvassing the neighborhood. They are asking anyone who many have witnessed the crime to come forward.

The suspect is described as a black man, 25 to 30 years old, about 5-feet-10-inches tall and heavy set with a "beer belly." He also had a short black afro, and a half-sleeve tattoo with writing and angel wings on his right arm.

If you think you may have any information, you are asked to call Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 as no detail is too small.

Investigators do not think there is any threat to the public, but they are increasing patrols in the area and advising people to always take caution when walking alone.