Authorities investigate attack, rape reported near Slippery Rock University

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Police said they are searching for more than one person in a rape that was reported near Slippery Rock University.

Investigators said the attack happened at 1 a.m. Saturday near Ginger Hill Restaurant, just a few blocks away from campus.

Police said at least two men raped a 20-year-old woman outside of the bar and they're hoping surveillance video will help them catch the attackers.

Officials said the investigation is difficult because the victim doesn’t know how many people were involved, but said there was more than one.

“It was reported that multiple males victimized the woman,” Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Dan Kesten said.

Kesten said the victim’s limited recollection of the rape is making it hard to describe her assailants.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was originally in critical condition at a local hospital, but has since been released.

A lot of students on Slippery Rock’s campus were talking about the incident Monday and told Channel 11’s Cara Sapida that it worries them.

“I live right by there and I heard about it,” former student Kyle Tarplet said. “Someone said that somebody had just been raped and I thought, ‘No, that’s terrible.’”

“I live on the street right by the restaurant and this has happened before,” Slippery Rock University senior Jayme Stanek said. “We got emails about it last year. I’m now afraid to walk alone at night.”

Rita Abent, the head of the campus public relations department said two men were arrested in October 2011 on charges of rape one block away from the restaurant. Abent also said in 2010 there were at least three rapes reported in one week.

“In the early fall of 2010 we had a very horrendous week,” Abent said.

Abent also pointed out that the victim has full support of the Slippery Rock University community.

“Whenever we have a report of this nature, there’s a whole process that kicks in,” Abent said. “We make sure we put a big hug around this person and make sure they know they have support as they go through every step.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Slippery Rock police.

WPXI