THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 14, 1995 TAG: 9507140420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
A would-be rapist was chased and captured Wednesday morning by angry residents - one using her dogs - after the victim fought her assailant and screamed for help.
Police said Clarence Swinton, a 33-year-old homeless man, was charged with attempted rape for the attack on the 36-year-old woman just before 8 a.m.
The woman was walking home on Court Street with a tray of coffee bought from a nearby store when a man grabbed her from behind.
There was change on the tray from the coffee purchase, so her first thought was that ``he was going for the money,'' she said. ``But he wanted something else. I started to scream and I was kicking him. I made it as uncomfortable for him as I could.''
Neighbors heard the woman's screams and came out of their homes, police and witnesses said. With the woman fighting back furiously and people coming to her aid, the attacker fled.
Dan Swanson had just returned home from jogging when he heard the woman's screams.
``I couldn't believe it. It happened in broad daylight,'' Swanson said.
``I just ran after him.''
Swanson chased the man down Court Street to Middle Street, where he saw Katherine Schuhr walking her dogs. He yelled to her for help, and she in turn shouted at John Rankin, who was getting into his car.
Rankin tackled Swinton in the 300 block of London Blvd., police said. Schuhr joined him and held her dogs on Swinton until police arrived, witnesses said.
``I was glad we were able to catch him so he won't be out doing the same thing to someone again,'' Swanson said.
The woman, who was unhurt except for a few scrapes and bruises, said she was thankful for the help of her neighbors.
``It was a very happy ending,'' she said. ``I had a good outcome because people were willing to get involved. Not as many women are as lucky.''
KEYWORDS: ATTEMPTED RAPE ARREST ASSAULT by CNB