Person Of Interest In Rape Hospitalized

A man described by Philadelphia police as a "person of interest" in the rape of an 11-year-old girl is in custody after being beaten by an angry mob.

Authorities said 26-year-old Jose Carrasquillo, of Philadelphia, was grabbed by neighborhood residents Tuesday afternoon, beaten and held down until police arrived and arrested him.

It happened around 3:30 p.m. at Front Street and Clearfield Street in the city's Kensington neighborhood.

The residents recognized Carrasquillo from a photo distributed by police.

"We were all standing on the corner and we saw him coming down the street. We knew who he was," said Hyking Brisbon, who was among the crowd. "We grabbed him and started roughing him up and held him down and the cops came...I have a daughter and I wouldn't want that to be my child."

Surveillance video, from a corner convenience store, shows Carrasquillo being chased by at least three people, one of whom hits him several times with what appears to be a bat or large stick. As they chase the man, a crowd gathers. A police officer arrives, and the video cuts off.

It was unclear Tuesday night whether anyone would be charged in the beating. Police Lt. Frank Vanore said he was sure police will "look at it."

Sources said Carrasquillo was wearing bloody shorts and a shirt, matching the description given by the 11-year-old who told police what the rapist was wearing.

He was taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. Police said charges are pending.

"I'm glad he caught and he deserve more than what he got for what he did to my child," said the victim's mother. "I'm just glad he off the streets and these other children can be safe from him."

Police said the girl was sexually assaulted Monday on her way to school in the city's Kensington section on East Westmoreland Street.

Police said the girl had just dropped her younger sister off at a daycare center when a man approached her and threatened to shoot her. He then took her several blocks to an alley and repeatedly assaulted her to the point where she needed surgery after the brutal attack.

"To attack an 11-year-old girl and I mean, he injured her pretty badly. I went to the hospital and saw her today and it's just something that should've never happened," said Commissioner Charles Ramsey. "It's good to have him off the street. People can take a sigh of relief. We still have a lot of work to do, but this is an individual who's been in contact with the police numerous times before."

A city-wide manhunt was underway for Carrasquillo. Sources tell Fox 29 that Carrasquillo was identified by a fingerprint found at the crime scene.

Police said he is also being investigated for the rape of a woman last week in Kensington.

Carrasquillo has been arrested more than 10 times, said authorities. In 2002, he was arrested for attempted rape, but those charges were later withdrawn. He is also wanted on an outstanding bench warrant.

Stay with Fox 29 News and MyFoxPhilly.com for more on this developing story.