NORTH TONAWANDA: Police await lab work from assault of 12-year-old girl

By Phil Dzikiy<br><a href="mailto:dzikiyp@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Phil</a>
Greater Niagara Newspapers

April 11, 2008 12:58 am

— NORTH TONAWANDA: Three weeks after the assault of a 12-year-old girl who was kidnapped at knifepoint on Gilmore Avenue, the North Tonawanda Police Department still has no suspects.
According to North Tonawanda Police Capt. William Hall, the department is awaiting forensics that will be crucial to the investigation.
“We’re just waiting for the forensic stuff right now,” he said. “I was hoping it would have been done by now. But it’s becoming a little more involved.”
The detailed forensic work is taking longer than expected, Hall said.
“It’s not your typical DNA case,” Hall said. “It’s just the nature of the evidence.”
Hall would not specify anything regarding the evidence, though he believes the police may have found some male DNA.
The assault took place about 7 a.m. March 20, when an attacker described as a white male of medium build and height accosted the middle school student on the way to her bus stop.
The attacker took the victim into an abandoned house at 608 Gilmore Ave. and assaulted her. The victim escaped from the second floor by climbing down a rope of blankets she had tied together.
If anyone has any information regarding the case, contact the North Tonawanda Police Department at 692-4111 or 692-4312.
Contact reporter Phil Dzikiyat 693-1000, ext. 114.