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The man police believe raped and tortured a Columbia graduate student last week for 19 hours was arrested last night. Police officers saw Robert Williams trying to break into a building in Hollis, Queens and was taken to the 103rd Precinct, where he was recognized from a police sketch released earlier this week.
So far, Williams has only been charged with burglary but remains in custody as the Queens police sent him to Manhattan for questioning. The Daily News and Post go over Williams's long criminal history, including an alleged murder at age 15, a robbery arrest in 1990, shooting someone in 1996, and a fight at the Union Square L station that left someone with a broken wrist.
The 23-year-old victim is undergoing surgery; the rapist slit her eyelids. The Daily News says the woman, who is scheduled to graduate from Columbia's Journalism School next month, lives in a building a few blocks away from Williams' father's house.
Last night, the Columbia community held a Take Back the Night march that drew 600 participants. Given the recent rape, many news organizations were present, which upset some participants. One Barnard student told the Columbia Spectator, "It is ridiculous.... There are girls literally breaking down and they're trying to get interviews during the march."
There is also a Sexual Assault Yearly Speak Out organized by the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault today at Union Square Park.
Photograph of the Take Back the Night event by Linda Carrion/Columbia Spectator
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While it's not right that news personnel go up to obviously emotional people to try to get interviews, events like the Take Back the Night rally/march should absoluetly be covered by the media. Give such things attention, make more people aware, and they might just do more good.
I hope that sick fuck gets locked up for the rest of his pathetic life.
In response to comment #1...I don't know anyone who didn't want the media around at all, but the media were given guidelines to protect participants. They were told not to get into the crowd during the march, but they tried anyway. When one particular reporter was told to get out of the way, he became upset and appeared hostile. The goal was not to let it become a media circus; it wasn't to exclude media. After the march, the reporters were asked to stay outside while students who were willing to be interviewed were sent to talk with them.
TBTN was a night of communal healing. And the best news is knowing they caught the suspect on the same night!
I'm so happy they caught this beast. For everyone's sake, this piece of filth had better spend the rest of his cheap little life in jail.
I hope the boys at Rikers show him a "good time"
How come the police aren't running through those crowds with scooters?
But what about the guy who beat up those old ladies a month or so ago?
That is the one that should be caught ASAP..
Uh this guy was a little more violent and sadistic than the granny robber.
Any update on the family who's home this guy broke into? The family in Holis, Queens.
Good thing the attention was on this guy, and a few cops were actually patrolling the streets, and not a Krispy Kreme shop.
"Slanty Eyed Cho" -
What's your problem with the cops? We have one of the best and most professional police deparments in the world. You have no idea what you're talking about.
stupid crazy pinko-femmo-nazis. dont they know that take back the night casues huge traffic jams. nobody really gives a crap about your messages. stop spewing your nazis hate!
god bless america
Good that they found him. Hopefully he doesn't get released, if he does I hope people are waiting for him and beat the living hell out of him. He is one person I wouldn't mind to see lynched. Set the fucker a blaze!!! Burn baby burn!
Your going to hell, if your not already there!