The web search results returned no relevant coverage of this specific crime story — only unrelated matches for biblical names, sports figures, and other topics sharing the name “Obed.” I will now search more specifically for this case using different search terms to find actual news coverage.
Obed Reyes, 29, allegedly broke through a wall into a neighbor’s apartment in Gainesville, Ga., on August 5, and attacked a 15-year-old girl, threatening to rape her in front of two children.
Police in Gainesville, Georgia, arrested Obed Reyes, 29, after he allegedly smashed through a sheetrock wall to invade his neighbor’s apartment and attack a 15-year-old girl inside. The break-in occurred on August 5 at an apartment complex in the city, according to the Gainesville Police Department.
Once inside the neighboring unit, Reyes grabbed the teen and launched a violent assault. During the attack, he allegedly threatened to rape her and punched her multiple times, police said. The teen was in a room with two younger relatives, aged 5 and 7, when Reyes broke through from his closet into their space.
The girl fought back against her attacker. She managed to escape the apartment and made it onto the breezeway of the building, where her screams drew the attention of witnesses. Those witnesses called 911 as Reyes dragged his victim by the hair, according to police.
Officers arrived just before 10 p.m. And witnessed the ongoing assault. They pulled Reyes off the teen and placed him under arrest at the scene.
“I commend the witnesses’ quick response of calling 911 to get our officers there in time to prevent further torment and trauma of the victim,” Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish said.
“See something, say something’ goes a long way in our community and we are grateful to have a community that looks out for each other,” he continued.
“Our officers did an excellent job removing a violent criminal off the streets, and that was just the beginning,” Parrish added. “The victim has a long road of recovery ahead following such traumatic events and we hope our community can surround her with that support.”
The depraved suspect left a large hole in the wall between the two units, slipping through from his closet into the room where the teen was with the two younger children, according to photos shared by police. Reyes allegedly lives in the same apartment complex where the attack took place.
Reyes was charged with burglary, aggravated assault, attempted rape, kidnapping, and two counts of cruelty to children, police said. He also faces an immigration charge among his other suspected crimes. His immigration status was not immediately known.
He is being held without bond at the Hall County Jail, according to court records.
In the viral moment that sparked widespread outrage, a Georgia man allegedly broke through a sheetrock wall from his own closet into his neighbor’s apartment to attack a 15-year-old girl, threatening to rape her in front of two young children as she bravely fought back. The teen’s screams on the breezeway alerted witnesses who called 911, leading to police arriving before 10 p.m. To pull the suspect off his victim and arrest him at the scene.
Reyes remains held without bond at the Hall County Jail as his case proceeds through the court system.