KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasAlleged Sexual Assault Foiled by Good Police Work

Alleged Sexual Assault Foiled by Good Police Work

A local woman escaped a sexual assault and her alleged attacker is behind bars thanks to good police work. A Henderson Police Officer thought the situation looked unusual, and her instincts were right.

The alleged perpetrator is 56-year-old Frank Blackburn. He's charged with first degree kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription.

It's all because of what happened two days ago. It started as a man and a woman talking inside Danny's Slot Country on Boulder Highway, then quickly escalated into much worse.

According the police report, around three in the afternoon, Blackburn approached the woman who was playing keno. The two talked then agreed to go somewhere to get a drink. She got into his car, went to light a cigarette, then turned around to a knife being held at her throat.

The report says he zip-tied her head to the passenger seat headrest and told her he planned to take her to a secluded area to do "anything he wanted for as long as he wanted to her."

While driving down Boulder Highway, he allegedly threatened her with a gun and fondled her.

He drove to the desert area near Horizon Ridge and Gibson Road, and that's when Henderson Police Officer Camille Tsitsinakis spotted the car, "As I'm approaching the suspect vehicle, I know I'm going to stop it and find out the reason why they're going up there. And as I'm doing that, I see the passenger, who's a white female saying, 'Help me. Help me,' mouthing it. And so immediately I put my vehicle in park and told the driver to stop his car."

Officer Tsitsinakis also found several types of prescription drugs, including muscle relaxers and painkillers in Blackburn's pocket. Police think he planned to give them to the victim. He also had two knives clipped to his collar and a gun in the backseat.

Police say the victim is doing well. She was very shaken up but also very grateful to Officer Tsitsinakis for helping her. Police just want to reiterate not to get in anyone's car who you don't know because you never know what their intentions are.

Police are now asking for the public's help. Blackburn was driving a 1994 white Mercury Grand Marquis with Utah plates. They've issued alerts to surrounding states to see if anyone knows anything about Blackburn, or have had any similar incidents with him.

If you know anything, please call Henderson Police at (702) 261-5000.