A disturbing video has emerged of a teenage girl being grabbed by a man in the hallway outside her New York City home. The incident occurred on January 23 and was captured by a doorbell camera in the Astoria, Queens apartment building.
The footage shows the girl returning home from walking her dog at around 9 am when a man suddenly leaped out from the stairwell and grabbed her. The victim’s mother, Adriana Alvarez, 35, rushed to her daughter’s aid and a scuffle ensued down the staircase. NYPD has identified the perpetrator as the victim’s ex-boyfriend, 25-year-old George Vassiliou, of Queens.
According to Alvarez, who spoke to CBS News, she heard her daughter’s “horrific scream” and immediately ran out to see her being dragged by a man down the fourth floor. The two were seen tumbling, fighting, and screaming in the video. NYPD has reported that Vassiliou sprayed pepper spray in the victim’s face and punched her several times during the attack. The victim suffered bruises and a dislocated shoulder.
Further investigation has revealed that the suspect and the victim had previously worked together at a grocery store, and their relationship had turned “weird.” Alvarez mentioned that Vassiliou had been following her daughter and hiding behind cars, causing discomfort. The family’s neighbor, Gus Bougas, also heard the commotion and ran to help. He grabbed Vassiliou, who initially managed to escape but was later found lurking across the street.
The suspect is being held in West Facility, East Elmhurst, a prison for inmates with contagious diseases, on a $50,000 bond. He has been charged with multiple counts, including assault and kidnapping. NYPD has stated that Vassiliou threw the victim down the stairs, sprayed her with pepper spray, and kicked her in the back, causing pain and injuries.
Alvarez has thanked Bougas for his heroic actions and believes that if he had not been there to help, the suspect would have escaped again. The incident has shocked and terrified the community, and residents are now more vigilant about their safety. Many have expressed their concern over the growing number of such incidents in the city and called for stricter measures to ensure the safety of individuals, particularly women.
This incident serves as a reminder of the alarming rates of violence against women and the need for stronger laws and enforcement to protect them. The victim’s mother has also urged authorities to take necessary action to prevent such incidents from happening again. She hopes that by speaking out, she can raise awareness and bring justice to both her daughter and other victims of similar crimes.
In light of this incident, NYPD has advised individuals to take precautions, such as being aware of their surroundings and sharing their location with family or friends as a safety measure. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with relevant information is urged to come forward and assist the authorities in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
The victim is currently receiving medical treatment, and her family has requested privacy during this difficult time. The community is standing in solidarity with the victim and her family, hoping for a speedy recovery and justice to be served.
