Police are warning women to take precautions when out and about after a Phoenix resident was brutalized in a field near 7th Avenue and Indian School.
The 47-year-old woman had been walking through alleyways on her way home from work about 2:30 a.m. Thursday when a man grabbed her, hauled her into a field, and raped her, police say. After the victim reported the crime, she took cops back to where it happened and actually spotted the alleged rapist.
What not if you're a rapist: Hang around the scene of your most recent attack.
Police arrested the 24-year-old man, Adrian Velez.
Cops gave the following tips for keeping yourself safe from predators:
1) Be vigilant of your surroundings.
2) Avoid using alleyways, for these offer opportunities for criminals to hide and secretly attack victims.
3) Avoid walking in isolated areas. Criminals look for opportunities to attack victims when they are alone.
4) Be weary [we think they mean wary] of walking alone in the late evening/ early morning hours. Again, criminals are looking for victims to be alone so they can succeed in their crimes.
5) Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to be there (so they can look for you if you do not arrive).
Obviously, some of this stuff is easier said then done, especially for people who work the late shifts. Another option might be to get a concealed weapons permit and take advantage of Arizona's right-to-kill law.
