Police are investigating the rape of a 32-year-old woman that occurred about 12:47 a.m. Tuesday after she got off the MetroLink train at the Emerson Park station.

Her identity was not released because she is a victim of a sex crime, but Police Chief Michael Floore said she is an East St. Louis resident.

She had walked a couple of blocks before she was accosted by an armed robber who demanded her money. She feared for her life and complied with the robber's demands, Floore said.

She begged for her life and told the gunman she had children and was on her way to them. The gunman, according to Floore, told her that he didn't care about that.

The MetroLink parking lot is well lit, but the gunman walked her to a more secluded location and raped her, Floore said.

The man also beat the woman, Floore said. The victim was taken to a local hospital, and her condition was not immediately available.

"The unknown black male was wearing a hoodie," Floore said.

Because it was late, Floore said people may not have seen the rape, but he is hopeful that surveillance video from the MetroLink station will help police identify the attacker.

Anyone with any information is urged to call the East St. Louis Police Department at 482-6700 or Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (this is an anonymous tip line that pays up to $1,000).