YOUNGSTOWN Reward to catch rapist grows to about $2,500

The rape victim, comforted by family members, is doing OK, a cousin says.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Beaver Township man says he wants to help catch the Lincoln Park rapist by adding $1,000 to the reward fund.
"It was an outrageous crime. The guy's like a rabid animal -- we have to get him off the streets," said Pete Suszczynski, an engineer at WFMJ-TV 21.
"Any father with a daughter should have the same feelings, should be outraged."
Family and friends of the 16-year-old Shehy Street girl beaten and raped in the park Aug. 3 have been contributing to a reward fund established in Cleveland by the teenager's cousin. Some donations have also been dropped off at the victim's home, the cousin said.
When told by The Vindicator about Suszczynski's offer Tuesday, the cousin opened a Bank One account labeled "Our Second Chance Angel."
Contributions can be made to account No. 645602772 at any Bank One branch, she said.
The girl's family hopes the reward encourages anyone who may know something about the suspect to call the Youngstown Police Department. Patrolmen Anthony Harris and Milton Eskew in the juvenile division are investigating the crime.
This past weekend, the family distributed 1,000 yellow fliers on the East Side offering a reward for tips. The cousin said Tuesday that roughly $2,500 has been collected.
Description of rapist
The suspect is described as a thin black man in his 40s, likely 150 pounds and 5 foot 8 inches to 6 feet with a mustache and bags under his eyes.
The girl told police she was dragged by her hair into the park while taking a shortcut to her grandmother's. She was beaten and raped on the foot bridge and then thrown off the bridge into the rocky creek.
The victim, surrounded by family and friends, is doing OK, the cousin said.
"Somebody knows who it is," Suszczynski said. "Maybe the reward will get them to come forward. It's sad that it has to be that way, but whatever it takes."
Suszczynski, who has a 21-year-old daughter, said he felt something had to be done. The Lynn Road father doesn't want the crime to go unsolved.
"Didn't I read that she's a straight-A student, like a little sweetie, an innocent little person?" Suszczynski said. "Maybe it's just my turn to do something good."
The victim's cousin said she'd like to give Suszczynski a big hug. "God has really blessed us," she said of the outpouring of support since the crime.
meade@vindy.com