Police: Vigilantes Set Fire Where Rape Occurred

Police in Hamilton, Ohio are looking for a man they say kidnapped and raped a 9-year-old girl inside a vacant house, where two days later a vigilante mob set fire to the crime scene.

Cops say on June 19, 2005, Alfredo Lopez-Cruz lured the young girl by taking her bike and threatening her. After the rape, the girl ran across the street nude to her home and told her dad what happened. Then, cops say the father went to the alleged crime scene. Lopez-Cruz was still at the home, lying naked on the bed, according to officials. Before cops could arrive, the suspect took off and hasn't been seen since.

Fire Impedes Investigation

By the next day, the vacant house had been spray painted with the words "child molester" and "rapest," {sic} and rocks had been thrown through some of the windows. The house was set on fire, presumably by a group of residents seeking vigilante justice.

The fire impeded the investigation and has prevented officials from revisiting the scene. Racial tensions have been high since the brutal rape and many residents are living in fear. Members of the Living Water Ministries organized a Unity Prayer Walk that drew more than 75 leaders and members of the community in hopes of easing racial tensions.

Cops believe Lopez-Cruz could be in Oregon or Charlotte, NC.  He has many aliases, including Alfredo Lopez Cruiz, Mario Martinex, Richard Martinez, Richard Mario Martinez and Armando Fernandez.