DATE: Wednesday, November 12, 1997          TAG: 9711120504

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   48 lines

DETAILS EMERGE ON 2 RAPE SUSPECTS CRIME LINE IS OFFERING $2,000 FOR INFORMATION IN TH CASE.

Investigators Tuesday released more detailed descriptions of two suspects wanted in connection with the Saturday morning rape of a 35-year-old Kill Devil Hills woman.

The two men were seen by a witness at Kelly's at about 1 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. The crime occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. The victim was dumped near a beach access on the south end of Bodie Island at about 3:20 a.m.

One suspect is between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs approximately 250 pounds. He was wearing a camouflage military-style jacket and an orange T-shirt emblazoned with some writing. Wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes, the man has brown, shoulder-length hair.

The second suspect is between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He has dirty blond hair and a not-yet full beard.

National Park Service rangers and the Dare County Sheriff's Office are being joined by Nags Head detective Kevin Brinkley in the investigation. Kelly's is in Nags Head.

Sheriff's Office Investigator Leary Sink said authorities are unable to release a drawing of the blond suspect.

``The witness we talked to said she wasn't able to get as good a look at the second suspect as she was the first,'' Sink said. ``She didn't have as much interaction with the second suspect.''

The description of the van has not changed. It is believed to be a dark blue or black late model van, with a single side door with no windows. The back doors have windows. The van also has square tail lights.

Investigators were also able to talk to a newspaper carrier who helped the injured woman when she arrived at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

``He said he passed two vehicles on the way to the fishing center,'' Sink said. ``He told us the victim was pretty hysterical. He gave her his shirt, and stayed with her until law enforcement and emergency services arrived at the scene.''

The woman was dumped near a Bodie Island beach access, then followed lights to the fishing center. Rescue personnel were called at about 3:30 a.m.

Anyone with any information about the two suspects is urged to call Ranger Paul Stevens at (919) 473-2111, Ext. 138; Sink at (919) 441-1451, or Nags Head Detective Kevin Brinkley at (919) 441-5909. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Drawing of suspect KEYWORDS: RAPE OUTER BANKS

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