Police Investigating Suspected Early-Morning Rape

Meriden Police are looking for a suspect in the alleged rape of a woman on Lincoln Street early Wednesday morning.

Police say a woman was walking on Broad Street then Liberty Street headed to the city's downtown in the early morning Wednesday when a man she didn't know started to walk with her, "making small talk," Police Spokesman Det. Let. Mark Walerysiak said Thursday.

When the two hit Lincoln Street and Foster St., the man reportedly forced her into a residential backyard there and sexually assaulted her, according to police. 

The woman ran away, and flagged down a passerby who brought her into the police station at about 5:30 a.m. Police said she was distraught and she was taken to Midstate Medical Center.

Detectives in the department's Special Crimes Unit are currently investigating the incident. The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male wearing all black. He is also described as bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English, Police said.

"We're investigating right now, but it's still early," Walerysiak said.

Police do not believe this incident is related to one that occured in Dec. 2011, in which a on Springdale Ave. and sexually assaulted on her way to the bus stop.

"The descriptions don't match," Walerysiak said, "This does not appear to be related."

Anyone with information is urged to call Det. Jose Rivera at 203-630-6265 or or Det. Sgt. Rob Nesci (203-630-6234).

Last updated at 2:33 p.m.