HAMILTON, Ohio -- Vigilante justice seems to have taken over in the community where a 9-year-old girl was raped Monday,
News 5 reported.
Someone set fire Tuesday evening to the house where the attack occurred. Six Mexican immigrants were renting the house in the 900 block of Sycamore Street, and neighbors believe the attacker lived there, News 5 reported.
Slideshow: Images Of The Fire
Video: Watch Juliette Vara's Report
Racial tensions rose high after the attack, with some angry residents threatening to burn down the house and take other retaliation against Hispanics in the area. Someone had spray-painted "Rapest" (sic) and "Child Molester" on the house.
The victim's father asked people to let police handle the situation.
"They probably mean well, but they're taking everything in their own hands and they should leave it in the police's hands," the father said.
One neighbor told News 5 the community just wants justice. Some neighbors are alarmed that the alleged attacker is still on the loose.
"They're just trying to get a suspected predator off the streets," Eric Price said. "Everybody's outraged. I can't even believe it myself."
Hamilton police Det. Mark Hayes said vigilantes interfere with police efforts to find the attacker.
"Something like this takes away from the investigation. Now we have another serious crime," Hayes said.
Police searched about a dozen places Tuesday for the alleged attacker, News 5 reported. About 50 people gathered at one home while police surrounded and searched it.
Police said they know who they are looking for, but they won't release his name or a sketch because of fear of retaliation, News 5 reported.
"We need concrete information from the public making an identification," Officer Don Taylor said. "Once we do, we will try to get a picture and make a positive identification."
The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, 22 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a tattoo on his inner forearm.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hayes at (513) 868-5811, ext. 1230.
The fire did a lot of damage to the house and melted the siding on the house next door.
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