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Nelson Rivera is charged with criminal attempt at murder, reckless endangerment, first-degree burglary, unlawful restraint, first-degree assault, first-degree sexual assault, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree strangulation and threatening, police said.
The charges stemmed from an altercation between Rivera and his ex-girlfriend at her Beardsley Street residence at 8:30 a.m. Monday, according to police.
The woman called for help because she could not get out of her room, police said. When officers arrived, they found a rope tied from her bedroom door to the kitchen sink, which prevented her from being able to open her door, police said.
The woman also expressed concern about her roommate’s safety, police said. Upon further investigation, a black mask in her roommate’s bedroom and also detected a strong odor of bleach.
“Detectives and patrol officers worked with urgency from the outset. Based on what officers observed, we were immediately concerned for the victim’s safety,” Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. said in a press release.
“This case, I truly believe, could have had a tragic outcome were it not for the work of our officers and detectives.”
Officers secured the scene at the residence, police said. Detectives Barbara Gonzalez, Robert Sherback, James Kennedy and Mark Graham responded and, as the investigation progressed, learned the identity and address of a possible suspect, Rivera, 49, the ex-boyfriend of the victim, police said.
Detectives and patrol officers went to the location and found the suspect’s vehicle, police said. Inside the vehicle, officers also saw a purse, which contained the victim’s wallet and personal items, police said.
Detectives and officers entered and searched the entire house, police said. As police reached the attic, the victim opened the door, police said. Once the victim was safe, Rivera was located and arrested, police said.
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