Posted at: 09/14/2012 8:55 PM
Updated at: 09/15/2012 12:34 AM
By: Dietrich Nissen

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Rochester Police Warn Residents After Recent Sexual Assault

(ABC 6 News) -- Rochester police are searching for a man after a woman was sexually assaulted in her home on Wednesday.

Investigators aren't just looking for the person responsible for that attack, but are also trying to figure out if the same man could be responsible for other assaults in the area.

Nervous residents say the area has had problems with other types of crimes but this is the first time they've heard of an active sexual predator.

This latest attack happened at a home on 12th Avenue and Center Street in Rochester, a few blocks from where Darnelle Cousin lives.

"It would terrify me very much. Just the thought of it gives me the chills," says Cousin.

"There's been police with, ya know, domestics and drug deals, but never really an assault. This kind of takes it to a different level," says another neighborhood resident, Opal Macken. She says police interviewed her after this latest attack but she didn’t know anything. Coincidentally, she recently added a new alarm system this year.

"I'm actually also getting cameras put in," says Macken.

"Over the course of four months, four incidences that occurred in a general geographical area," says Rochester Police Captain, Brian Winters. He says police are searching an area which spans from Highway 52 to Lourdes High School, and from Civic Center Drive to Saint Marys Hospital.

Police won't say if these crimes are directly connected but are searching for possible ties.

"These are of a concern of ours because of the fact that the offender was- was and is, unknown to the victims," says Winters.

Residents wonder if this man is one of the sexual offenders living in the area, but police don't believe that's the case. Still, this scenario frightens them.

"Just the thought of hearing it really puts the fear in me," says Cousin.

"It's scary," says Macken. “It creeped me out."

As police search for a suspect, both women are hoping for progress in the investigation so their fears can be put to ease.

Police want the public’s help in finding the suspect.

Police describe him as a light skinned black male, between the ages of 20-30 years old. He's approximately 5’ 6” to 5’ 10” in height, and has an average to athletic build. Police are also looking for an older, burgundy colored mini-van with wood grained sides that may have a connection to this case.

If you have any helpful information, police want you to call right away, and if you live in the area, lock your doors and windows tightly.