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Police Seek Suspect Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Friendship Woman

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Police say 34-year-old James Mason is wanted on sexual assault charges.

He's accused of sneaking into a 21-year-old woman's Roup Avenue apartment in the Friendship neighborhood, and assaulted her while threatening her with a kitchen knife, and warning that he would kill her if she didn't do as she was told.

Police Lt. Daniel Herrmann says Mason also stole the woman's cellphone and computer.

Dana Previte, who lives in a Friendship with her sister, said she was shocked to hear about the attack, describing the neighborhood as "pretty safe."

Megan Veres, who was jogging near Roup Avenue said the attack was "definitely disturbing, and it makes you feel unsafe."

The computer later turned up at a downtown pawn shop.

The victim was shaken up by what happened to her, but otherwise unhurt physically, according to Lt. Herrmann.

A search for the suspect in this area, so far, has been negative, and police say he may have actually fled to Alabama.

Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers posted a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Mason's arrest and conviction.

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