Bronx citizens took matters into their own hands after a 50-year-old career criminal allegedly attempted to rape a 70-year-old woman, leaving the suspect hospitalized and facing serious charges.
Key Takeaways
- Oswaldo Ramos, a repeat offender with 19 prior arrests, was beaten by local vigilantes after allegedly attempting to rape an elderly woman in the Bronx.
- The attack occurred on April 18 near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street in Fordham Heights, with Ramos subsequently charged with first-degree attempted rape and burglary.
- Neighborhood residents identified Ramos from surveillance footage circulated by police and confronted him near Tiebout Avenue and East 187th Street.
- An anonymous caller informed police that Ramos could be found in a local hospital following the vigilante justice.
- Ramos remains hospitalized and has not yet been arraigned on the charges stemming from the alleged sexual assault attempt.
Community Takes Action Against Alleged Sexual Predator
In a stark demonstration of community policing, Bronx residents physically confronted Oswaldo Ramos, 50, after surveillance footage showed him allegedly attempting to rape a 70-year-old woman. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on April 18 near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street in the Fordham Heights neighborhood. According to police reports, Ramos approached the elderly woman from behind and attempted to sexually assault her before fleeing the scene on foot.
After the New York Police Department released surveillance video showing Ramos attempting to put his pants back on following the attack, local residents quickly identified him. The following day, vigilantes cornered Ramos near Tiebout Avenue and East 187th Street, where they administered a beating that left Ramos requiring medical attention. An anonymous caller later informed detectives that Ramos could be found at a local hospital.
A group of Bronx vigilantes hunted down a suspect accused of attempting to rape a 70-year-old woman pic.twitter.com/03dBtdBHV4
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 24, 2025
Residents Defend Their Actions Against Career Criminal
Local residents have been vocal about their actions, with several speaking to reporters about why they felt compelled to intervene. The community’s response reflects growing frustration with repeat offenders and concerns about vulnerable populations. Ramos has been charged with first-degree attempted rape and burglary but has not yet been arraigned as he remains under medical care.
“Yeah, we beat him up. You don’t do that, that’s something you don’t do,” said one local man who spoke with reporters about the confrontation with Ramos.
Another resident, age 59, expressed the community’s sentiment plainly: “We don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here.” The vigilante action has sparked discussions about community safety and the appropriate responses to violent crime in neighborhoods where residents feel protective of vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Extensive Criminal History Raises Questions About System Failures
Ramos’s extensive criminal record has become a focal point in the community’s justification for their actions. With 19 previous arrests, primarily for robberies and burglaries, many residents question why he was free to potentially victimize again. His most recent prior arrest occurred in 2018, when he allegedly robbed a Bronx deli and falsely claimed to have shot a police officer.
Police continue to investigate both the original attack on the elderly woman and the subsequent vigilante response. The NYPD has encouraged anyone with additional information to contact their Crime Stoppers Hotline. Meanwhile, Ramos faces serious legal consequences for his alleged crimes once he is released from medical care and formally processed through the criminal justice system.
