A 30-year-old Manchester man has been charged with two counts of Attempted Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault stemming from reports by two women who allege the man attacked them earlier this morning.

 

At approx. 2:00 a.m. on August 23, Patrol Officers responded to the area of Manchester and Beech Sts. for a report of a woman screaming. Upon arrival the officers located a female who was visibly upset who reported an unknown man had just approached her as she was walking in the area. She reported this man made comments to her that he wanted to touch her as he then grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. This female victim said she broke free and ran from the man who then chased and tackled her. The woman said she again struggled with the man who was trying to restrain her. As the woman screamed and attempted to fight her attacker off the man abandoned his efforts and ran off.

 

While officers were taking statements and tending to the first victim, a second woman was located who reported a similar incident of being approached and assaulted by an unknown man in an apparent abduction attempt. In this second incident the victim reported having a conversation with a man who approached her in the area of Manchester and Beech Sts. The woman reported the man made comments regarding sexual activity and at some point during the encounter had grabbed her, threw her to the ground and ripped her shirt off. The woman reported she was able to break free from the man whereupon she ran from the area.

 

Responding officers had noted a man matching the description of the women’s assailant as they patrolled the area. This man, later identified as Mario Lemus DOB 1-6-80 of 427 Manchester St. had been seen running from the area. Additional information revealed the man had subsequently climbed onto a roof top at a building at 469 Manchester St. Police took Lemus into custody after he came down from this roof.

 

Lemus is charged with two counts of Attempted Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault, Criminal Trespass and Prowling. He is scheduled to be arraigned in the Manchester District Court this morning.

 

Submitted by:

 

Capt. Gerald R. Lessard

Investigative Division