No Bail For Towson Rape Suspect Jarvis Levy Benson
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- The Owings Mills man charged a woman's rape in Towson is being held in jail on a no-bail status.
Jarvis Levy Benson, 32, of the 9600 block of Julia Lane, was arrested on Saturday and charged with second-degree rape, fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault.
Shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday, police were called to the unit block of West Pennsylvania Avenue for a call of an assault.
Owings Mills Man Charged In Rape Of Woman In Towson
According to police, Benson allegedly followed a woman down an alley near Pennsylvania Avenue and then sexually assaulted her behind a business. She was able to break free and went back to the business she left and told employees she was attacked.
"He grabbed her, yanked her behind a business into an alley and at that point he raped her," Baltimore County Police spokesperson Ofc. Jen Peach said.
As officers interviewed the victim, Benson was spotted on the street nearby and arrested.
During a bail review hearing Monday, a judge ruled that Benson be held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail.
Court documents said video not released to reporters showed a man with his hand around the "back of a woman's neck in a controlling manner."
The documents said Benson has changed his story several times after being questioned about the incident.
Benson has a criminal history, including charges of trespassing, assault and violating a protective order in Florida.
In deciding to keep him behind bars, a judge said he poses a threat to society if he were to be released.
Women WJZ spoke with in the area on Monday said they're always on the lookout.
"I wouldn't walk out by myself but she probably didn't expect that because we're in Towson," Rachel Beatty, who works in the area, said. "Who would have thought that that would happen in Towson?"
As classes resume at Towson University and other area schools, students said the crime is getting their attention.
"There are a lot more college students than usual and not just from Towson but like from a lot of different schools inside, so it's a little creepy, a little scary. It just makes you more cautious," a Towson student who did not want to be identified told WJZ.
Police said the 23-year-old victim had never seen Benson before. They're now asking any other possible victims to come forward.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Special Victims Unit are continuing the investigation into this incident. Anyone who may have additional information on this incident or any other incident involving this suspect is asked to contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.