Bronx residents took justice into their own hands by confronting and beating a career criminal who attempted to rape a 70-year-old woman, leading to his arrest after he was found hospitalized.
Top Takeaways
- Oswaldo Ramos, 50, with 19 prior arrests, was charged with attempted rape and burglary after attacking a 70-year-old woman in the Bronx
- Neighborhood vigilantes identified Ramos from police surveillance footage and severely beat him before police could make an arrest
- An anonymous caller informed detectives they could find the suspect in the hospital, leading to his arrest
- Local residents openly admitted to the vigilante justice, stating “We don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here”
- The incident occurred on April 18 near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street in Fordham Heights
Career Criminal Targeted Elderly Woman
Oswaldo Ramos, a 50-year-old man with an extensive criminal history including 19 prior arrests, allegedly attempted to rape a 70-year-old woman in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx. The attack occurred around 1 p.m. on April 18 near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street, when Ramos approached the elderly woman from behind and attempted to sexually assault her before fleeing on foot. The NYPD quickly released surveillance footage showing Ramos attempting to put his pants back on after the attack, which circulated widely in the community.
Most of Ramos’s prior arrests were related to robberies and burglaries, including a 2018 incident where he allegedly robbed a Bronx deli and falsely claimed to have shot a police officer. This latest attack represents an apparent escalation in his criminal behavior, now targeting one of the community’s most vulnerable residents. After the attempted rape, the NYPD launched an immediate search for Ramos, distributing his image from the surveillance footage throughout the neighborhood.
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
Community Takes Action
The surveillance footage released by police proved crucial in what happened next. Local residents, outraged by the attack on an elderly community member, recognized Ramos from the circulated images. The following day, vigilantes cornered Ramos near Tiebout Avenue and East 187th Street, where they confronted and severely beat him. This community response came before police could locate and arrest the suspect, demonstrating the neighborhood’s determination to protect their own.
“Yeah, we beat him up. You don’t do that, that’s something you don’t do,” one local man told reporters without hesitation, making no attempt to hide the community’s involvement in the vigilante justice.
The beating was severe enough to send Ramos to the hospital. An anonymous caller later informed detectives they could find the suspect receiving medical treatment, enabling officers to make the arrest while Ramos was still hospitalized. Authorities charged him with first-degree attempted rape and burglary, though he had not yet been arraigned due to his medical condition.
Residents Stand By Their Actions
In interviews with local media, Bronx residents were unapologetic about the community’s response to the attack. Multiple individuals spoke openly about the incident, expressing no regrets about how they handled the situation. The vigilante action reflects growing frustration with crime in many urban neighborhoods and a perceived need for community self-protection when authorities aren’t immediately present.
“We don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here. And if he comes back, I’m going to rock him again,” stated one vigilante resident who participated in confronting Ramos.
Another neighborhood resident expressed similar sentiments: “He deserved what he got. I would have done the same thing because that could have been my grandmother. It could have been anybody.” The NYPD continues to investigate both the original attack and is seeking additional information through their Crime Stoppers Hotline.
