Man facing multiple charges after violently attacking woman in Montgomery County, police say
Kevin Mendoza (Montgomery County Police Department)
SILVER SPRING, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A man is facing several charges in Montgomery County after police say he violently attacked a woman in Silver Spring last Friday.
According to Montgomery County Police, a woman was carrying items from her parked car into her apartment building in the 8500 block of 16th Street at around 11:55 p.m. on August 16 when she says she noticed a man that appeared to be following her.
When she unlocked the door to the building, police say the man grabbed her from behind and threw her to the floor. When the woman tried to yell and resist, police say the man strangled her with his bare hands before punching her multiple times in the face and head. Police say the man then raped the woman.
The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment following the attack. Police say "doctors advised detectives that the severity of the strangulation the victim suffered could have resulted in her death."
Following an investigation, 26-year-old Kevin Mendoza, who police say is a former resident of the apartment building, was developed as a suspect.
Mendoza was arrested on Monday morning. He has been charged with first-degree rape, attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault.