HAMILTON, Ohio -- With an entire city now on the lookout for the suspect, the father of a 9-year-old rape victim says he feels better about the police's chances of catching him, News 5's Courtis Fuller reported.

"I'm glad they put the guy's face out. Hanging up fliers everywhere, that gives me a little more hope. Now everyone knows what this guy looks like. Hopefully, he'll get caught. I'm keeping my fingers crossed," the girl's father told News 5.

The girl's father said he believes the suspect, Alfredo Lopez Cruz, is hiding in the area and hasn't left town.

Police hit the streets in several neighborhoods Friday, showing Cruz's photo to residents and tacking it on store walls.

"We have a lot of walk-ins at this store, so it's good they put it up," said store owner Danny Reiter. "They might be able to get some information."

However, the photo is from a previous arrest in Butler County, and Cruz may have altered his appearance, officials said. Witnesses said he had a mohawk haircut and a goatee without a mustache. Cruz is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and 135 pounds with a tattoo on his inner forearm.

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Video: Watch Courtis Fuller's Report

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If he has skipped town since the alleged assault on Sunday, Cruz stands a better chance of eluding capture longer. But his mugshot and fingerprints have been entered into a nationwide law enforcement database, so if police stop him for any reason, he'll be detained.

It's not known if Cruz, a Mexican, is an illegal alien, Fuller reported. Even if he is, the FBI said he would face prosecution in Butler County.

Police said Cruz has used several aliases, including:

· Mario Martinez
· Richard Martinez
· Richard Mario Martinez
· Armando Fernandez

Everyone in town is talking about the case. They refer to it as "what happened to the little girl on Sycamore," Fuller reported.

"People are blaming Hispanics rather than the man who did it, so that makes me sad as well, but of course I'm devastated that a little girl was hurt in any way," a woman said.

Police are anxious to find Cruz before vigilantes do. The rape enraged the community, and threats of reprisals turned to violence when someone torched the house where the rape allegedly occurred. Some people broke into a home looking for the suspect, and angry crowds gathered on the street.

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Slideshow: Images Of The Fire

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Besides looking for Cruz, police are searching for the arsonist, offering a reward of up to $5,000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hamilton police Det. Mark Hayes at (513) 868-5811, ext. 1230.