New Philadelphia, Ohio (WJER) - New Philadelphia police are investigating an alleged rape stemming from a home invasion early Tuesday morning. 

Police Chief Mike Goodwin says a female victim reported a man entered her residence in the 800 block of 3rd Street SE on the southside of town through an unlocked door about 1 a.m. and assaulted her.  Police searched the area but were unable to locate the assailant. 

Goodwin says investigators are now trying to identify the suspect, who was described as a 6-foot tall white male wearing a black sweatshirt and ski mask. 

“To have a sexual assault of this nature is not a common thing for this area. A lot of the sexual assaults that we deal with, the victim knows his or her assailant, but this one right now is unknown to any of us,” he says. 

Goodwin says he is notifying the public so they can protect themselves, and is also asking for any tips that could move the case forward.

“We wanted to get the information out as soon as possible so that the residents are aware of what happened in that neck of the woods. We also want to let the residents know that if they see something to give us a call,” he says.

Goodwin reminds residents to always lock their doors and urges them to call the New Philadelphia Police Department anytime a situation appears dangerous.

“We are a 24/7 department, and there’s always three police officers on the road someplace. You’re not bothering us by calling us. We definitely want to handle something as it’s happening or shortly thereafter,” he says. 

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