NYU Catholic Center Rape Suspect in Custody

A man suspected of beating and raping a woman at New York University's Catholic Center in October is now in custody. He was found after being recently arrested on unrelated robbery charges and jailed at Rikers Island, NBC New York reports. 

The suspect is charged with raping a 24-year-old missionary at around 5:40 a.m. on Oct. 31. Investigators report that he forced the victim into the building as she was unlocking the door, beat her, tore off her clothes and raped her before fleeing, Gothamist reports. The woman, who works in lay ministry at the center, was there to set up a breakfast for priests. 

A surveillance video taken of the scene shows the suspect wearing a fedora, and the police found a matching fedora left on the ground near Washington Square Park. The NYPD was able to locate the suspect by using DNA from the fedora. 

The suspect is said to be a homeless man with a record. He was arrested over a week ago for alleged involvement in three robberies in Midtown and Chelsea. 

NYU officials let students know via email that the NYPD has a suspect in custody. "As you will remember, a woman affiliated with the Catholic Center was raped and robbed in the early morning hours of Oct. 31," Jules Martin, the university's Vice President of Global Safety, wrote. "I am pleased to report to you that the NYPD has informed us that they have detained a suspect in this case."

Many students were shocked by news of the incident when it occured. "I was kind of stunned," student Kathleen Barkats said last month. "I had no idea something like that would happen, especially at that time of day."

"I was quite shocked frankly and thought it was extra terrible that it happened at our religious center," said Eleanor Hall Watson, an NYU sophomore.

"I'm completely just blown away, particularly in a learning institution like this," professor Eileen Moon said. "It's just heartbreaking."