Attempted rape reported at fair

COEUR d’ALENE — The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is beefing up its presence in and around the North Idaho Fair & Rodeo after an attempted rape was reported in the fairgrounds parking lot Thursday night.

“In addition to our regular patrol staff at the fair, we will be increasing our patrols in the parking lots through the rest of the fair,” said Lt. Stu Miller on Friday.

The 26-year-old female victim said she had just finished working at a vendor booth at the fair and was walking alone to her vehicle just after 8 p.m., when two males attacked her from behind, taking her to the ground. As she was being pinned down by the males, they made statements and actions that led her to believe they were trying to rape her.

The victim said she fought back, screaming and kicking at the males, which caught the attention of five people in the lot that came to her aid. As the five were running to her, the two suspects fled on foot.

After the suspects ran away, the victim said she got to her car and drove home, where she called her employer, who in turn told her to call law enforcement and report the incident.

One suspect was described as being a white male, unknown age, about 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds with black or dark brown hair. He was reportedly wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white cords coming from the hood and blue jeans. He was also described as having a full beard.

The second suspect was described as a white male, unknown age, about 6-foot and possibly 200 pounds. He had light brown hair with no facial hair. She further described him as having a very “skinny” face. He was said to be wearing a black sweatshirt with blue jeans.

Currently the suspects are unknown. Additionally, the five individuals that came to the victim’s aid are also unknown. If anyone witnessed this incident or has further information, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (208) 446-1300.