Police: Suspect Charged With Rape, Attempted Murder In Spring Garden Attack
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- According to officials, the suspect accused of raping a woman in a Spring Garden parking lot has been charged.
Police say 32-year-old Steven Woodson, of Pittsburgh, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery, rape and related offenses.
Police say at 10:49 a.m. Thursday, a 33-year-old woman reported she entered the parking garage at 17th and Callowhill to pick up her vehicle. When she exited the second floor elevator, she was approached by a man who covered her mouth with his hand.
Authorities say the suspect demanded money, and when the victim tried to hand over her purse he said he wanted cash only and began choking her until she lost consciousness.
Police say when the victim awoke between two parked vehicles, the suspect was on top of her demanding she remove the battery from her iPhone. When she was unable to do so, he began beating her in the head and face and choked her again until she again lost consciousness.
The victim regained consciousness and was sexually assaulted, according to police. As the assault was happening, the victim was able to break free and she ran towards a vehicle that had entered the garage.
The suspect fled the scene with a witness from the vehicle following him until he got lost in the area of 400 N. 17th Street.
Police stopped the suspect around 10:59 a.m. in the same area.
The victim was taken to Hahnemann Hospital where she was listed in stable condition.
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