Two Juvenile Rapes Reported at Lansdowne Park

Two incidents of second-degree rape linked to Hillcrest Park in Lansdowne were reported to county police in a one-week period.

Police said that on March 24 a female victim reported an incident that happened in October, 2011. The victim, who was 13 or 14 at the time, said that while at Hillcrest Park she was approached by a male aquaintance who followed her and engaged her in conversation, according to police.

When the victim walked toward the park's lake, the suspect grabbed her and engaged in sex, according to police.

According to police, the suspect is described as a male white teenager, about 5'6" and 140 pounds, with short light-colored hair and wearing a dark jacket, and may be known as "Donny."

Police officials said that they did not know why the incident was not reported until now.

The second incident occured between noon and 5 p.m. on March 17, when a 12-year-old female was forced to perform a sexual act on a 17-year-old aquaintance with the nickname of "Jimmy" while at Hillcrest Park, according to police.

Police said that in both cases, the suspect was known to the victim and that neither case involved violent physical force or a weapon. Under Maryland law, sex with a victim under the age of 14 by someone more than four years older is defined as second-degree rape.

Arrests have not been made in either case, police said.

Located on Third Avenue between and the and , Hillcrest Park is a popular spot for young people to congregate in the Lansdowne neighborhood.

The park has a playground, bathroom facilities, a sheltered pavillion and is bordered by a large wooded area--providing opportunities for youth to do things that they shouldn't, police said.

"Things can happen when younger teenagers hang around with older teenagers," said police spokesperson Cathleen Batton. "We encourage parents to be aware of where their children are and who they're interacting with."

Officials at said that police have stepped up patrols at Hillcrest Park.