Police investigate claim of rape and abduction near VCU - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Richmond Police are investigating a suspicious situation, in which a woman claims she was abducted and raped near VCU.

Detectives say more information needs to be gathered and would not say if the victim is a student or not.

Still, the report has students on alert this early in the school year.

The disturbing report has many students like Olivia Walthall on high alert because the report says it happened along the route she takes several times a day.

"Oh wow," she said.  "That's really terrifying for me because I live right there in Jackson Ward, but I walk by there every day."

The woman tells police she was in the parking lot of the Rite Aid store near the intersection of Belvidere and Broad streets when a man driving a light green or blue Cadillac started talking to her.  She says he forced her into the car, then raped her in the Jackson Ward area.

Richmond police got the report just before 3 a.m.; VCU soon issued a crime alert on its website because it happened so close to campus.

"I walk there every day, I never feel that bad," says Kristian Moore, a VCU junior.  "My girlfriend won't walk there at night."

While Richmond Police investigate the school urges students to be extra cautious.

"It's obviously a city and we know that there's crime out here, but it's just worrisome," says Moore.

Student we spoke to say they're glad to get an alert of any crime that happens nearby.

"Making us more aware of it and helping protect the students is the most I think anybody can do.  I'm always grateful for it," says Walthall.

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