BY THE VILLAGE SUN | A woman who fought off a would-be rapist in Greenwich Village struggled, yelled and bit the man’s hand, even as he tried to choke her, causing him to flee, according to the criminal complaint.
As The Village Sun first reported, according to police, a woman from the outer boroughs was walking to work on Sun., Nov. 21, around 5 a.m., passing by Murray’s Bagels, at 500 Sixth Ave., between 12th and 13th Streets, when she was attacked by a man who tried to rape her. But she resisted, managing to fight him off and he fled.
Police arrested Obafemi Crosland, 28, from Jamaica, Queens, minutes later at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street.
In the complaint filed by the Manhattan district attorney, Police Officer Maureen Carey from the Village’s Sixth Precinct recounted what the victim told police occurred and also what Carey herself observed when the suspect was arrested. The victim is referred to as “Informant.”
“The defendant pushed Informant against a [building] wall and placed his hand around Informant’s neck and squeezed tight, holding her in place,” the complaint states. “I am further informed that with his other hand the defendant grabbed Informant’s wrist and forced Informant to rub his penis, and then defendant used his hand to rub Informant’s vagina. I am further informed that Informant struggled against the defendant and yelled for help and then bit the defendant on the hand. I am further informed that the defendant tried to pull Informant’s pants down.
“I am further informed that as a result of the above-described actions, Informant sustained redness, swelling and substantial pain to her wrist and neck.
“I observed a bleeding laceration on the defendant’s hand.”
Crosland was charged with attempted rape in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree and strangulation in the second degree.
The D.A. asked that bail be set at $50,000 cash or $150,000 bond. However, Judge James Clynes lowered the amount to $10,000 cash or $35,000 bond.
According to the Department of Correction’s online “Inmate Lookup Service,” Crosland is currently being held behind bars at Rikers Island. He is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds.
His next court date is Fri., Nov. 26.
Be First to Comment