A rape case and a string of recent vehicle burglaries are currently being investigated by the Muldrow Police Department.

Muldrow Police Chief Tony Lewis said Wednesday that his department received a report from a Van Buren, Ark., woman, alleging she was forcibly raped by an unknown assailant at a home in Muldrow in the early morning hours of April 1.

"At this point in time, we're conducting an investigation and we're trying to locate the suspect," Lewis said.

The 24-year-old victim described the suspect as being in his mid-40s, 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 240 pounds, with a muscular build and black hair.

Lewis explained that the woman knew the man from years ago and knew his first name, and had recently become reacquainted with the suspect at a local business. The alleged rape occurred at the man's home, located somewhere in Muldrow.

Officers are also working on solving a rash of vehicle burglaries that have occurred in recent weeks in the town.

Lewis said on March 30 a woman dropped her child off at a Muldrow daycare and when she came back to her vehicle, she noticed that her purse, checkbook, cell phone and other valuables were missing. In another March 30 incident, a resident reported that he was attending a program at a local church when his car was broken into and valuables were stolen.

On April 2 at a Muldrow truck stop, Lewis said a semi-truck driver reported to police that he parked his vehicle and went inside the truck stop for about 20 minutes. When he returned to his truck, a radio and television in the sleeper area of the truck had been stolen.

Lewis said of that in the majority of recent vehicle burglaries, the car owners simply don't lock their cars.

Lewis is urging residents to lock their vehicles and advising them not to leave their purse or wallet inside a parked vehicle, even if the vehicle is parked in front of their home. He added that parking lots with a lot of parked cars are also common places for vehicle burglaries.

"We have stepped up patrols in areas most recently affected," Lewis said, noting that they believe the suspect or suspects are between the ages of 14 and 18.

"It is a felony," Lewis added.

Those with any information regarding the burglaries or the rape suspect are urged to call the police department's CrimeStoppers hotline at (918) 427-0000. Callers may remain anonymous, Lewis said.