Georgia Man Charged After Breaking Into Neighboring Apartment in Attempt to Rape 15-Year-Old

At approximately 10:00 p.m. on August 5, Gainesville Police responded to a reported assault in progress at an apartment complex located at 1030 Summit Street involving a 15-year-old female victim. Officers reportedly arrived to find 29-year-old Obed Reyes actively engaged in the alleged attack.

A press release from the police department detailed how witnesses called 911 after seeing the juvenile victim being dragged by her hair by an older male suspect along the breezeway outside of the apartment unit as she reportedly attempted to escape her attacker. After authorities placed Reyes under arrest, investigators learned the suspect allegedly gained entry into the victim’s unit via a shared wall connecting the two apartments’ closets.

Authorities say the suspect punched the victim several times during the alleged attack and threatened to rape her in front of two younger family members, ages 5 and 7. Reyes has since been charged with burglary, aggravated assault, attempted rape, kidnapping, and two counts of cruelty to children.

Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish issued a statement following Reyes’ arrest, commending the quick actions of nearby witnesses who alerted authorities to the alleged attack while expressing his sympathies for the victim and the “long” road to recovery from the “traumatic” incident.

“I commend the witnesses’ quick response of calling 911 to get our officers there in time to prevent further torment and trauma of the victim. ‘See something, say something’ goes a long way in our community and we are grateful to have a community that looks out for each other. Our officers did an excellent job removing a violent criminal off the streets, and that was just the beginning. The victim has a long road of recovery ahead following such traumatic events and we hope our community can surround her with that support,” Chief Parrish stated.