Victim of Minneapolis sexual assault, carjacking speaks out

A man is behind bars after police said he sexually assaulted a woman during a carjacking in Minneapolis last week.

Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Carl Williams.

Williams is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct armed with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and aggravated robbery, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the incident happened in broad daylight blocks away from her home.

She asked to remain anonymous for her safety.

“I thought that not in a million years would I have been targeted for carjacking,” the victim said in an interview with FIVE EYEWITNESS NEWS.

A woman took a trip to the BP gas station on Third Avenue South in Minneapolis.

The victim said it’s a normal routine that took a turn for the worse last Friday.

“I didn’t see him walk up to me and come up from behind me. So I didn’t really have the opportunity for him to say much to me or jump in my car and lock the doors,”

According to court documents, when the 32-year-old finished pumping gas, she was approached by a man wearing a ski mask, who was later identified as Carl Williams.

Minneapolis police said he pointed a handgun at the woman and told her to get in the car.

Williams drove off with the victim inside.

“He had a gun on me the entire time while he was driving. So I was really afraid what he was going to do if I would have made a run for it,” the victim said. “I was crying and I was begging him not to do this to me. He pointed the gun at me and I just thought, what if I don’t make it out?"

Police said the suspect drove to Pleasant Avenue South and sexually assaulted the victim.

After a struggle, the woman darted out of the car and ran to a stranger’s home. The homeowner called the police.

The victim calls the incident "terrifying" and that it has tarnished the view of a place she calls home.

“It’s constantly scary. People can say stuff like ‘well just don’t go downtown’… but I can’t say that because I live here,” the victim said.

Police said the car was found left running in an alley.

After the incident, MPD found Williams at the same gas station following additional reports of carjacking. He was arrested on scene.

Williams is currently in custody at the Hennepin County Jail.

The victim said she’s trying to leave the city because she no longer feels safe.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe to cover therapy costs and help the victim and her son find a new home.