HUNTINGTON -- The Cabell County Sheriff's Office is asking area residents and businesses for help in finding the man who raped a 17-year-old girl.

The girl reported that the incident happened Tuesday, Sept. 16, in an apartment complex near her Fairview Street bus stop in East Pea Ridge. The girl had been waiting on her school bus.

The suspect has been described as a white male in his 20s, of medium-slender build, with short, dirty blonde hair. He was reported to be wearing a black T-shirt, khaki shorts and dark-colored baseball cap.

The girl told investigators the attacker was a stranger who rode a large, dark mountain bicycle on Division Road. She said he pulled her from behind with his arm across her throat and threatened to snap her neck if she moved.

After the assault, the suspect reportedly stole a brown Coach-brand purse containing an AT&T Blackberry cell phone, a Green Dot prepaid credit card and identification papers.

The Cabell Sheriff's Office is asking residents to check their properties for the purse and its contents.

Authorities also are asking residents to report any suspicious behavior or indecent exposure by a person matching the suspect's description.

Businesses and residents with video systems are asked to check their Tuesday surveillance for a white male riding a bicycle in the East Pea Ridge area.

Anyone with information should call 911 or the Sheriff's Office Detective Unit at 304-743-1594.

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