A shocking midday attack has shaken a Bronx neighborhood and sparked a wave of community outrage — and, ultimately, street justice. A 50-year-old convicted felon, with a long rap sheet and 19 prior arrests, allegedly tried to rape a 70-year-old woman in broad daylight last Friday. But within 24 hours, residents tracked him down and beat him unconscious, according to multiple reports.
The attempted sexual assault occurred around 1 p.m. on April 18 near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street, the NYPD confirmed in a press release. The suspect — later identified as Oswaldo Ramos — allegedly approached the elderly woman from behind and tried to sexually assault her before fleeing the scene on foot.
Surveillance footage released by police shows Ramos hastily pulling up his pants moments after the attack. The video spread quickly online and across local messaging groups, galvanizing the community.
“We Beat Him Up. You Don’t Do That Here.”
The next day, on Saturday, residents say they spotted Ramos near Tiebout Avenue and East 187th Street — just a few blocks from where the assault took place. That’s when vigilantes took matters into their own hands.
“Yeah, we beat him up,” one local resident told the New York Post, requesting anonymity. “You don’t do that. That’s something you don’t do. And if he comes back, I’m going to rock him again.”
Another neighbor added bluntly:
“We don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here.”
Locals reportedly provided aid and comfort to the elderly victim in the immediate aftermath of the assault.
A Repeat Offender, Finally Caught
Ramos, who fled the scene after the assault, remained at large for nearly 48 hours, prompting a widespread manhunt by police and an informal neighborhood watch by residents.
After being beaten by locals, Ramos was hospitalized. He has since been charged with first-degree attempted rape and burglary, though as of Tuesday, he had not yet been arraigned. Authorities have not disclosed the severity of his injuries.
According to law enforcement, Ramos is a career criminal, with multiple prior arrests for robbery, burglary, and other offenses. In one 2018 incident, he reportedly entered a Bronx deli claiming to have shot a police officer and demanded money. No officer was actually harmed in that event.
Despite his criminal history, Ramos was free on the streets — until, locals say, they took justice into their own hands.
NYPD Seeks Public’s Help
While Ramos is now in custody, the NYPD is continuing its investigation and urges anyone with additional information about the assault to come forward.
Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit information anonymously online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org