In a midday attack that shook a Bronx neighborhood, a 50-year-old career criminal with 19 prior arrests allegedly attempted to rape a 70-year-old woman in broad daylight—only to be tracked down and beaten by outraged local residents the next day.
The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Friday, April 18, near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street, according to a New York City Police Department press release.
Police said the suspect, later identified as Oswaldo Ramos, approached the elderly woman from behind and attempted sexual assault before fleeing on foot.
But the community refused to let the attack go unanswered.
The footage, which was part of the department’s public appeal for help in identifying the suspect, quickly spread online and among local residents. According to the New York Post, the video was used by neighborhood vigilantes the next day to identify Ramos.
According to the outlet, on Saturday, vigilantes cornered Ramos near Tiebout Avenue and East 187th Street—just blocks from where the attempted rape occurred—and beat him so severely that he was hospitalized.
“Yeah, we beat him up,” a local resident told the Post, requesting anonymity. “You don’t do that; that is not something you do. And if he comes back, I’ll rock him again.”
Another neighbor agreed, saying, “We don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here.” Others in the area reportedly consoled the elderly victim immediately following the assault.
Ramos fled the scene following the attempted rape and was missing for approximately 48 hours. During that time, the NYPD continued to search for him, while community members remained vigilant.
The NYPD charged Ramos with first-degree attempted rape and burglary. According to law enforcement sources, Ramos was still hospitalized on Tuesday and had not been arraigned. The extent of his injuries has not been revealed.
The alleged assailant has an extensive criminal record. Ramos has been arrested 19 times, primarily for robbery and burglary, according to police.
In a 2018 incident, he reportedly stormed into a Bronx deli, claiming to have shot a cop and demanding money. Authorities later confirmed that no officers had been injured.
Despite his lengthy rap sheet, Ramos was free to roam the streets—until residents had had enough.
The NYPD is still asking the public for any additional information about the original assault. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit it anonymously online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org.
