USA ― After a woman was allegedly raped while onboard a Philadelphia train, authorities wondered why nearby passengers did not do anything while the woman was being assaulted.
On Wednesday night (Oct 13), a woman taking Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Market-Frankford Line was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man.
SEPTA noted that camera surveillance showed other passengers witnessed the “horrendous criminal act” yet did not alert authorities.
According to the New York Times, the incident lasted for eight minutes.
“It may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911,” said SEPTA.
The suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Fiston Ngoy, who had sat down next to the woman at around 10 pm.
Reports noted he tried touching her a few times, and despite attempts to push the man away, Ngoy decided to rip off her clothes.
The authorities were notified after a SEPTA employee noticed “something wasn’t right” with a woman on the train as it went past.
SEPTA police waited at the next stop and arrested the man while the victim was conveyed to a hospital.
“Were they watching? I don’t know. Again, we’re still going through the video, but there was a lot of people, in my opinion, that should’ve intervened,” said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Tim Bernhardt in a CBS News report.
“Somebody should’ve done something. It speaks to where we are in society. Who would allow something like that to take place? So it’s troubling, but again, we’re working on that, and we’re trying to identify anyone that we saw coming on and off the El at that time,” he added.
Calling her an “unbelievably strong woman,” Mr Bernhardt noted that the victim came forward and provided the authorities with a lot of information.
“She’s on the mend, and hopefully, she will get through this.”
Ngoy is in custody and has received charges of rape and aggravated indecent assault, among other crimes.
Reports noted that Ngoy was homeless and unarmed during the incident. /TISG
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