DENVER (CBS4)– A witness to a sexual assault that happened in the middle of the day wished he could have stopped it. Now police are searching for the suspect.
The attack happened outside the Sparks Liquor store near east Krameria Street and East 14th Avenue on Thursday.
Junuis Holmes told CBS4’s Stan Bush that he was stunned to witness the sex assault as it happened. The attack was also captured on surveillance video.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was shaking when the police came,” said Holmes.
Police believe the suspect saw a woman, seemingly drunk, sitting against the wall to the liquor store just after 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. As pedestrians and traffic passed by, the suspect paces back and forth.
He steals her cellphone and when she panicked, he returned and attacked her.
(credit: Denver police)
When asked why he didn’t go outside to stop the attack, Holmes replied, “Because I couldn’t leave the store. I was here by myself.”
The victim is seen fighting off her attacker and he ran away toward Colfax Avenue. Holmes said he didn’t have time to react and until the attack thought they were just two people loitering outside.
“I didn’t think anything serious was going to happen in that moment and then I see it… yeah, I regret that,” said Holmes.
The suspect is described as 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-3 with a slim build. He may be connected to at least one other sexual assault in the area.
A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Additional Resources
Denver police released the following information about this case:
If you have information regarding the identity or whereabouts of this individual please call (720) 913-7867.
