Police: Vigilantes won't be charged

PHILADELPHIA, June 4 (UPI) -- Philadelphia officials say they will not seek criminal charges against a group who beat a man suspected in the abduction and rape of an 11-year-old girl.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday that those who attacked Jose Carrasquillo, 26, would not be prosecuted.

"I don't condone violence," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said, adding that "members of the community were very upset over this, and some may have used more force than a trained police officer."

Carrasquillo was released from the hospital Thursday and taken to police headquarters for questioning. Investigators say he may also be responsible for other recent sexual assaults.

Police said he had not been formally charged late Thursday, but they had evidence linking him to the rape of the 11-year-old.

Carrasquillo was confronted by residents, who beat him. The newspaper reported the group stands to share a $10,000 reward offered by the Fraternal Order of Police.

FOP President John McNesby said the reward money will be disbursed once Carrasquillo is formally charged with the rape and investigators identify those who "stepped up" to detain him.

"If we have to pay 10,000 people a dollar each, we'll do that," McNesby was quoted by the newspaper as saying.