Jun 7, 2009 2:22 pm US/Eastern
Family Holds Party To Honor Heroic Citizens
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A party was held for the citizens who detained a man wanted in connection with the rape of an 11-year-old girl on Saturday afternoon.
As a gesture of thanks, the family of the young victim threw a party for Fernando Genval and David Vargas, the two men being called heroes in the neighborhood.
A day after the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police honored the two men with $5,750 in reward money for their part in detaining 26-year-old Jose Carrasquillo Tuesday afternoon, a celebration was held on the 3000 block of E Street in the Northeast section of the city.
Carrasquillo was sought for questioning in the rape of an 11-year-old girl, who was attacked while walking to school Monday morning. The FOP issued a $10,000 reward for his capture which quickly grew to over $11,000.
Hours after announcing the reward, Genval and Vargas recognized Carrasquillo, attacking and holding him until police could arrive at the scene.
A second man said he was beaten by community members who wrongly mistook him as a person of interest in the brutal crime. The young girl's father offered the man and his family an apology for the attack.
Neither Genval nor Vargas will face charges in the incident.
Carrasquillo was treated for his injuries at Temple University Hospital and is currently being questioned by police. He has not yet been criminally charged as investigators are awaiting the results of a DNA test.
Investigators are also looking into additional allegations recently filed against Carrasquillo.
According to sources, police are investigating Carrasquillo for an incident at Kensington High School on the same day as the rape.
A student says she was groped on the way to school. The same student then saw the man who groped her eating breakfast in the cafeteria. She screamed and the man reportedly ran away.
Carrasquillo remains in police custody on a parole violation.
TRUST FUND INFORMATION
A trust fund has been set up for the 11-year-old victim.
The Little Angel Trust Fund
Donations can be dropped off at any Bank of America branch.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jessica Simpson: Then & Now
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments