Investigation stymied in rape case

Posted October 25, 2007

West Tisbury police chief Beth Toomey said police continue to follow leads in the alleged daytime rape of a female hitchhiker this summer, but they have nothing new to report.

In a press release issued on Sept. 10, West Tisbury police said they were investigating a reported Aug. 28 daytime rape of a woman hitchhiker, who told police her attacker may have been armed when he picked her up and drove her to a residential dirt road off Old County Road where the attack allegedly took place.

"We continue to follow any leads," Chief Toomey told The Times this week.

Asked if there was any reason to doubt the initial report of a rape, Chief Toomey declined comment. She did say, "There is some conflicting information regarding this case." But, she added that there is no reason for people to let down their guard.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the West Tisbury Police Department at 508-693-0020.