Gainesville Man Accused of Breaking Through Apartment Wall, Attacking 15-Year-Old Girl
GAINESVILLE, Ga. – A 29-year-old Gainesville man is facing kidnapping, attempted rape and other felony charges after police say he broke through a wall into a neighboring apartment and violently attacked a 15-year-old girl who was inside with two young family members.
Gainesville Police responded to an apartment complex at 1030 Summit Street shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, after 911 callers reported what initially appeared to be a physical domestic violence incident.
Witnesses told dispatchers they saw a man dragging a female by her hair and repeatedly hitting her while she screamed for help.
When officers arrived, police said they witnessed the assault still taking place and immediately intervened, separating the victim from her attacker.
Officers took Obed Reyes, 29, of Gainesville, into custody at the scene.
Police Say Suspect Broke Through Closet Wall
As officers investigated, they determined the incident was not a domestic dispute.
According to Gainesville Police, Reyes lived in the same apartment complex as the victim, but the two were not known to each other.
Investigators allege Reyes gained access to the girl’s apartment by breaking a hole through a closet wall from the neighboring apartment.
The 15-year-old was inside the residence with two family members, ages 5 and 7, when Reyes allegedly entered.
Police said Reyes grabbed the teenager by her hair and began punching her multiple times.
The girl fought back and managed to escape from the apartment into the complex’s breezeway, where she screamed for help. Investigators allege Reyes followed her outside and continued assaulting her.
During the attack, Reyes also allegedly threatened to rape the teenager, according to police.
Witnesses’ 911 Calls Bring Officers to Active Assault
The witnesses who saw the attack unfolding called 911, allowing officers to arrive while the assault was still taking place.
Reyes was arrested and charged with:
- Burglary
- Aggravated Assault
- Attempted Rape
- Kidnapping
- Two counts of Cruelty to Children
He was transported to the Hall County Jail without further incident.
Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish credited the witnesses with quickly alerting authorities and helping officers reach the teenager while the attack was underway.
“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,” 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.”
Parrish also praised the responding officers and said the teenager faces a lengthy recovery following the attack.
“The victim has a long road of recovery ahead following such traumatic events and we hope our community can surround her with that support,” Parrish said.
