Cops collar creep in brutal rape try
Victim suffers fractured skull
A would-be rapist is in custody after he fractured a woman’s skull as she walked to her Upper West Side home, ranting that the woman had “spent all my money,” police and witnesses said Thursday.
The 37-year-old victim was dropped off by an Uber cab on Central Park West and W. 83rd St. at about 11 p.m. Wednesday and was walking to her home when Desmond Smith, 32, ran up and tried to talk to her on W. 84th St., cops said.
“This is 100% a random attack,” said one police source.
When the woman ignored him, Smith grabbed her and threw her to the ground between two parked cars and began punching, stomping and biting her head, police said.
“I heard them arguing, but it became louder and louder,” said one neighbor, who wished not to be named. “It was the holiday, so I thought it was some kids being drunk.”
“I looked out the window and she was screaming and holding herself on the floor,” she said. “He was stomping on her and ripping off her clothes. She was saying, ‘What do you want?’ He said something about money.”
“He pulled off her skirt and her underwear came off,” the neighbor added. “I came down with clothing for her. She was half naked with only a white top on.”
As the suspect tried to take off her pants, the woman fought back, possibly injuring him, police sources said.
Doorman Earnest Pjetri saw the beatdown, ran over and took a photo of the attacker.
“I heard screams,” said Pjetri, 40. “I ran outside and tried to find where they were coming from. He was on top of her between two cars.”
“I ran up and took a picture of him and he came running behind me,” the doorman added. “He said ‘No picture, she spent all my money.’”
Police sources provided some context to his bizarre words — she offered him money to leave her alone, but he refused it and continued his assault.
“I came back out to find (the victim) but she was gone,” Pjetri said. “I don’t know where she went. I was worried about her. I was even looking under cars.”
Police said the woman ran away from the scene, but reached out to authorities and was taken to an area hospital, where she was treated for a skull fracture and bruises.
Detectives were out looking for additional witnesses as they investigate the assault as an attempted rape.
“I just came out to help,” Pjetri said. “I was glad he came running after me so she could get away.”
Smith, who lives at the nearby Skyway Men’s Shelter on W. 83rd St. at Columbus Ave., was arrested while visiting a health facility in the Bronx, police sources said.
Uniformed officers were searching his room late Thursday. A shelter director acknowledged he lived there, but declined comment.
He’s charged with attempted rape, strangulation, sexual abuse and assault.
Smith said nothing as detectives led him into a police car Thursday night, shaking his head violently as a reporter asked questions about the brutal attack.
A police source said he has an “extensive” criminal record. Public records show he was sentenced to three years in prison for assault in 2008, under the name Shaun Walker.