Security aid in capture of rape suspect www.privateofficer.com
It’s the second sexual assault in that garage in less than two weeks.
Bernard Richmond, 45, was arrested at 2:48 a.m., just a few minutes after a security guard came to the rescue of the woman and Richmond ran away.
Richmond approached the woman as a panhandler but followed her into the garage at 60 Madison Ave., east of Front Street, after she gave him money, police spokeswoman Alyssa Macon-Moore said.
According to an affidavit, he “grabbed her in a bear hug” on the first floor of the garage, dragged her across the lobby and was seconds from raping her when the security guard, who heard the woman’s screaming, intervened. When police arrived, they located Richmond several blocks away, near Beale Street, and the guard and a video surveillance tape confirmed him as a suspect.
The woman was not injured in the incident, Macon-Moore said.
Richmond has been arrested at least 24 times in Shelby County since 1985, with repeated incidents of criminal trespass, aggravated assault, panhandling and drug charges for crack cocaine.
He is due in court this morning.
On Sept. 13, Darius Wright, 19, was arrested after allegedly attacking a 37-year-old woman in the elevator of the garage. A witness yelled at Wright until he ran, but he was arrested a short time later. He was charged with aggravated sexual battery.
Source:Commercial Appeal
