Two women sexually assaulted in Bailey’s Crossroads

Note: Scroll to the end for a surprising update. 

Police are investigating two incidents in which women were sexually assaulted near commercial businesses in the Bailey’s Crossroads area, a bulletin from the Mason Police District reported on March 5. 

The most recent incident took place on Friday, Jan. 31, around 6 p.m. A 28-year-old woman was shopping in the Ross store at 5840 Crossroads Center Way when she was approached by a man who spoke to her in Spanish in a very friendly manner.

As she was leaving the store, the man pulled up in his silver Mercedes and asked her to get in. She did. He locked the doors, drove to a location nearby and sexually assaulted her. The victim escaped and fled.

The suspect was described as a white male wearing a dark jacket and white shirt (in photo above). He wore glasses and had black hair. His demeanor was outgoing and friendly. There may be other people who have been approached by this man.

In another incident, a woman was sexually assaulted on her way to a bus stop on Jan. 29, around 6:30 a.m. The woman was walking in front of Bob’s Discount Furniture at 5845 Leesburg Pike when she heard footsteps behind her. A man grabbed her and assaulted her. The victim resisted and eventually was able to flee.

The suspect (in photo above on the left) was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and thin. He wore a black mask, an orange jacket, and a black hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Solvers, 866-411-TIPS/8477, text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637, or call Fairfax County Police, 703-691-2131. Tips can be given anonymously.

UPDATE: Police arrested Sloan Wilson Rappoport, 44, of Military
Road, Arlington, March 18 in connection with the assault at Ross Dress for
Less. He was charged with abduction, sexual battery, and obscene display.
Police do not believe he is connected to the assault near Bob’s Discount
Furniture.

Sloan W. Rappoport  is vice president at Downey McGrath Group Inc., a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. He was a senior policy advisor to the Commerce Secretary during the Bush Administration and majority counsel for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.