Man Arrested for Allegedly Raping 16-year-old at Movie Theater

Man Arrested for Allegedly Raping 16-year-old at Movie Theater


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Alex Cabrero ReportingA 16-year-old girl was raped last night at a movie theater in South Salt Lake.

It happened at the Century 16, off 33rd South. South Salt Lake police told me this is the first rape case they've ever had here.

No matter what scary movie you've seen at the Century 16 theaters, it doesn't even come close to the horror a 16-year old girl experienced there Thursday night.

South Salt Lake police say the girl was raped in the womens' bathroom.

Shelley Tingey: "It surprised me that it could've happened here. It's always so crowded."

Investigators believe a 19-year old man followed her in, crawled under the stall, and covered her mouth so no one would hear her screams for help.

Joshua Guy Taber is now in jail charged with rape. The victim knew him through mutual friends also at the theater last night.

Erica Thoen, with the Rape Recovery Center, says most rape cases involve two people who know each other. But even then, she says the most important thing for victims is to get help, and not blame themselves for the attack.

Erica Thoen/ Rape Recovery Center: "It's not their fault. And I think more often than not, society tends to blame the victim."

Teri Baucom says her son was at the theaters last night, and after hearing about it, came home very upset.

Teri Baucom: "Talked to my daughters about being careful when you go to the bathroom, and that you go with someone, and that you're always aware of your surroundings all the time."

Police also told me the girl was taken to a hospital, and that there is plenty of evidence for this case to go forward.

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