Cape Girardeau police investigate weekend sexual assault

Cape Girardeau police are investigating a weekend sexual assault that occurred not far from the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, police spokesman Sgt. Jason Selzer said Monday.

Police received a call at 12:33 a.m. Sunday that a woman had been assaulted, and an officer was sent to speak with her.

The victim, who was in her early 20s, said that about 15 minutes before she called police, she'd been at home when she heard a knock on the door. Thinking her roommate had come home, she opened the door, and a stranger forced his way into her house, she told police.

She described the man as about 5-feet-7-inches tall and weighing about 300 pounds, Selzer said. He was dark-complected and had short brown hair, the victim told police. He had been wearing a gray shirt and tan cargo shorts, and had a "puffy face," she said.

The man had pushed her behind the door and tied her hands behind her back with rope, Selzer said. He tried to rape her but she resisted so much that he instead forced her into oral sex, Selzer said.

After the assault, the intruder forced the woman into her bathroom and shut the door, telling her to stay put. When he left, he stole her cell phone and also one belonging to her roommate, she told police.

The woman was able to loosen her ropes and escape her bonds, and drove to a nearby friend's house to call the police, Selzer said. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Selzer said.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and do not have any strong leads on the suspect, he said.