Woman scares off attacker by honking horn

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — A woman scared off a convicted rapist in a shopping center parking lot by honking her car’s horn to get attention, Murfreesboro police said.

Suspect Chad Parker, 33, was charged with sexual battery in the attack on the woman Wednesday afternoon outside a Target store, said Detective Craig Snider.

Parker was convicted in 1991 of raping an 18-year-old college student and served nine years in prison.

During Wednesday’s assault, a woman was walking to her car when she was attacked and forced into her car, Snider said.

The woman honked the horn in the car and drew the attention of nearby shoppers, Snider said.

“The victim did exactly what she should have done by making noise,” Snider said.

Nearby shoppers called police and gave them a description of the man.

Parker was picked up at a nearby store and was taken to the detention center for questioning.

Parker was also charged with burglary of the victim’s car. A hearing is set for March 20.