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An 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with attacking and attempting to rape a woman near an MBTA station in Quincy.
Quincy Police said the woman was attacked from behind after getting off a Red Line train at the Wollaston station shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.
The victim told police she was walking on Woodbine Street when “she felt someone hook their arm around her neck and pull her to the ground.”
“The suspect then tried to remove her clothing,” police said. “Despite being punched several times, the victim was able to fight off the attacker.”
The woman was “not seriously injured” in the attack, but she was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, police said.
The suspect, described by the woman as a white, possibly Hispanic man who was wearing a bright red sweater tucked under another piece of clothing and a dark backpack, ran toward the Wollaston station following the attack, police said.
Police reported responding to both Wollaston and Quincy Center stations, and seeing a man matching the victim’s description riding an incoming train from the Wollaston area that stopped in Quincy Center.
The suspect, Gustavo Woodward, 18, of Dorchester, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to commit rape and indecent assault and battery, police said.
“(The) investigation indicates that he followed the victim from the Wollaston MBTA station,” police said. “Our thoughts are with her as she recovers from this traumatic incident.”
Quincy Police offered a few tips for those who walk alone at night:
- Bring a phone to call for help if you find yourself in danger or feel uncomfortable. Don’t talk on your phone as you walk. Keep your head up and pay attention to your surroundings.
- Carry pepper spray. It’s legal for anyone 18 years or older to obtain and carry pepper spray in Massachusetts.
- Walk in well-lit areas. Avoid side streets and try to stay in populated areas. If possible, stay away from empty parking garages or isolated areas, and don’t take a shortcut through a dark alley or parking lot.
- Don’t wear headphones, which can reduce your awareness of your surroundings, preventing you from hearing a person approaching from behind.
- Trust your instincts. If you see something or someone suspicious, change your route by crossing the street. If you think you’re being followed, head toward a busy area, like a convenience store, restaurant or gas station. Let the person following you know that you’re aware of their presence by looking in their direction. Don’t head toward your car or home.
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