Woman Raped Near Penn Station

Photograph by Jason Kuffer on Flickr

Police have caught the man who allegedly attacked and raped a Long Island woman near Penn Station Monday morning. The attacker, Paul Smalls, 43, of Brooklyn, has a previous arrest record that includes attempted murder, weapons possession, and busts for robbery, sexual abuse and assault.

The 39-year-old woman had spent the weekend with friends in NJ, and spent Sunday evening shopping in Manhattan. She was walking toward Penn Station around 1 a.m. on 31st Street near Eighth Avenue when Smalls violently grabbed her, dragged her behind a street food vendor's cart and into a parking lot, where he allegedly raped her. Afterwards, he calmly walked back to the station, while the woman gave a description of him to police officers, who quickly apprehended him. Smalls was arrested on charges of first-degree rape, and is being held on $75,000 bail.

The Post "exclusively" reports that Smalls was busted in 2006 for an assault on two women in Brooklyn, during which he was accused of beating up one and punching and kicking the other, as well as burning her on the lips with a cigarette. (The paper also adds, "It's unclear why the NYPD did not officially release details of the alleged rape attack to the public"). According to the latest crime statistics, rape is up 15.2 percent this year.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on September 8, 2010 12:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Clarice City

Remember the 'ol sex offender map?

http://www.familywatchdog.us/ShowMap.asp?frm=0

John L

"Paul Smalls, 43, of Brooklyn, has a previous arrest record that includes attempted murder, weapons possession, and busts for robbery, sexual abuse and assault ... Smalls was busted in 2006 for an assault on two women in Brooklyn, during which he was accused of beating up one and punching and kicking the other, as well as burning her on the lips with a cigarette."

So why, God's name, was this man not in jail?

"It's unclear why the NYPD did not officially release details of the alleged ra pe attack to the public"

That's Ray Kelly's most successful anti-crime initiative. NYPD doesn't report it, meaning it never happened, and therefore crime is down. Never mind that a woman was attacked and a rapist is on the loose, all that matters is stat numbers and public perception.

Cranky Old Man

See ladies? This is why you don't go skipping around the streets of New York at 1 AM like it's Disney World.

ottoemezzo

Way to blame the victim, Cranky. Think her skirt was too short, too?

Cannibal

Aaaaannd you are probably the first to complain that its a total sausage party when you go out...

Tricksta

See asshole? This is why you don't go posting stupid shit at 2:46 PM like you don't have a clue.

annaka700

Gee thanks for the warning. So what are we supposed to do? Stay at home and cower in fear after dark? Make sure we have a male escort at all times? Not possible, old man. Like the above poster said, 1AM near Penn Station is not a deserted area, she wasn't being reckless about her own safety by being there.

yincrash

how in the world did no one see him drag her away and not do anything? Was the street vendor cart unmanned? 1AM near penn station is still pretty active with people

airtech1

Rikers. Rot. Ruined.

Cannibal

That's why I never go near Penn Station. Too rapey.

ed_Extinct

Dear New York State,

Please execute this animal by way of hanging at City Hall.

Kind regards,

The Taxpayers

Peter

I'm sure Mommy and Daddy are hiring Paul the very best defense attorney money can buy. Oh wait, I meant to say that Mommy is doing that; undoubtedly there is no Daddy. Sorry.