Charlestown shocked by sex assault
A man who sexually assaulted a woman in her Charlestown apartment is still on the loose and townies say they’re shocked by the violent act — but not worried about the safety of their neighborhood.
Around 4 a.m. yesterday, a man reportedly broke into an apartment in the Newtown development on Old Ironsides Way and indecently assaulted a woman sleeping there. The man fled after the woman screamed and woke up other members of the household.
The assailant was described as a black man between 25 and 30 years old and 5-feet 5-inches and 5-feet 8-inches in height, wearing gray sweatpants with a dark gray rear pocket.
“This is very unusual in our community,” said Charlestown Neighborhood Council Chairman Tom Cunha, adding many of the area’s new residents move there because of its safety. “I don’t think it’s a major safety issue ... they’ll get him.”
John Harrington, a lifelong resident of the development, said the woman is an “awesome person” and that residents were appalled by the attack.
“Someone breaking into her house, that’s pretty shocking, especially because everyone looks after everyone,” Harrington said, adding he wished the attacker had come to his building.
“I wish they broke into my house because they wouldn’t be walking out,” Harrington said. “I got my dog, no one’s breaking into my house without leaving in a body bag.”
Boston police are investigating the attack and officers will “stringently guard and protect” the identities of anyone who comes forward, according to a press release.
City Councilor Lydia Edwards, whose district includes Charlestown, said, “I have absolute faith in our police officers to do their job . ... This is such an abnormal occurrence — I feel that we have a safe neighborhood.”
Toni Troop of Jane Doe Inc., an advocacy group for abused women, said having an alert community is important for preventing all sexual assaults. She praised the people who came to the woman’s aid during the assault.
“People responded, that’s what we want to see — communities stepping up when someone is in danger and taking steps to make people safe,” Troop said.
BPD is urging anyone with information about the attack to contact the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit at 617-343-4400 or Area A Detectives at 617-3434248. Community members can also send tips anonymously do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 800-494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).