After a 70-year-old woman was targeted for rape in the Bronx, local residents took justice into their own hands, delivering a brutal beating to the career criminal suspect before police found him hospitalized.
Quick Takes
- Bronx residents attacked Oswaldo Ramos, 50, after he attempted to rape a 70-year-old woman in Fordham Heights
- Ramos, a career criminal with 19 previous arrests, was identified by locals from NYPD surveillance footage
- Vigilantes severely beat Ramos, with one anonymous caller later informing police of his hospital location
- Residents have publicly defended their actions, stating “we don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here”
- Ramos now faces charges of first-degree attempted rape and burglary while still hospitalized
Elderly Woman Targeted in Broad Daylight
The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on April 18 near Creston Avenue and East 184th Street in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx. According to police reports, Oswaldo Ramos, 50, approached the elderly woman from behind and attempted to sexually assault her before fleeing the scene on foot. The NYPD quickly released surveillance footage showing Ramos trying to put his pants back on following the attack, hoping to identify and apprehend the suspect who had targeted the vulnerable senior citizen.
The surveillance video circulated widely online and throughout the neighborhood, allowing local residents to recognize Ramos. The Bronx community, outraged by the nature of the crime and the age of the victim, quickly mobilized. Many residents, familiar with local criminal elements, identified Ramos from the footage within a day of the attack, setting the stage for what would happen next.
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 Justice Into Their Own Hands
The day following the attack, a group of neighborhood residents located Ramos near Tiebout Avenue and East 187th Street. Rather than waiting for police intervention, these self-appointed vigilantes cornered Ramos and administered what they considered appropriate punishment for his alleged crime. The beating was severe enough to send Ramos to the hospital with significant injuries, effectively stopping him from potentially targeting other vulnerable members of the community.
“Yeah, we beat him up,” one local man told reporters unapologetically. “You don’t do that, that’s something you don’t do.”
After the vigilante action, an anonymous caller contacted detectives and informed them that they could find Ramos at a nearby hospital. This tip allowed police to locate and formally charge the suspect while he received medical treatment for his injuries. The NYPD has not indicated whether they are investigating the vigilante attack itself, focusing instead on processing Ramos for his alleged attempted sexual assault.
A Community Standing Firm
Residents in the area have shown little remorse for their actions, with multiple community members speaking openly about their involvement and justification. A 59-year-old man from the neighborhood told reporters, “We don’t tolerate that kind of stuff around here,” reflecting a community sentiment that certain crimes cross boundaries that warrant direct intervention. The solidarity among residents suggests a shared belief that their actions were necessary and justified.
“And if he comes back, I’m going to rock him again,” one unnamed vigilante resident stated defiantly. Another local added, “He deserved what he got. I would have done the same thing because that could have been my grandmother. It could have been anybody.”
Career Criminal Faces Serious Charges
Ramos brings an extensive criminal history to this case, with 19 previous arrests primarily for robberies and burglaries. In 2018, he was arrested for allegedly robbing a Bronx deli and falsely claiming to have shot a police officer. This pattern of criminal behavior has made him familiar to both law enforcement and local residents, potentially contributing to the community’s swift identification and response to his latest alleged crime.
Currently, Ramos remains hospitalized and has been charged with first-degree attempted rape and burglary. He has yet to be arraigned due to his medical condition. The NYPD continues to investigate the case and has encouraged anyone with additional information to contact their Crime Stoppers Hotline, though the community’s direct action has already ensured the suspect’s capture.
