Carl Phanor: Man who raped jogger and choked her so hard her neck bones broke committed 2 similar assaults
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Police say a 43-year-old woman reported being raped while jogging along Manhattan's West Side Highway on Thursday morning, November 2. According to the New York Police Department, the woman claimed that at 5:30 am, a man grabbed her from behind, choked her, and knocked her to the ground as she was out for a jog near Pier 45. According to authorities, she claimed that he sexually assaulted her, took her phone and wallet, and then escaped on foot.
According to the New York Post, police reported the arrest of 29-year-old Carl Phanor in connection with the rape of the jogger. Phanor is accused of two similar assaults in the last 9 months. Prosecutors and sources said his latest victim is a tourist who was choked so hard, several bones broke in her neck.
"The victim from yesterday currently remains in the ICU receiving treatment for several bone fractures, and she was choked to the point of losing consciousness,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Lauren Breen told the judge during a hearing.
Phanor is also accused of raping another woman on March 27 in an almost identical setting. Police added that Phanor has also been charged in connection with a third incident where a woman who was attacked on Manhattan's East Side. He is accused of predatory sexual assault, criminal sex act, strangling, grand larceny, robbery, and sexual assault with a sexual motive. Law enforcement sources stated that the suspect was captured after using the victim's credit card in a Midtown Manhattan Target shop.
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According to the prosecution, Phanor was wearing the same clothing as when he committed the rape and was carrying the victim's wallet and other personal items when he was apprehended. Prosecutors further claimed that on March 27 at 6 am Phanor carried out his first known attack in New York. A 39-year-old woman was allegedly thrown to the ground, choked, and pinned down by Phanor, who was riding a bike, as he yelled at her to perform a certain sex act on him before orally raping her. She was on the running route close to Pier 46 at the time.
In a last-ditch effort to catch him, police released Phanor's identity and photograph to the public. However, on October 6, still at large, Phanor allegedly carried out another assault on the FDR service road close to East 37th Street. A woman was going down the street when Phanor approached from behind, put her in a chokehold, and tore her jeans open, according to the prosecution. When the woman yelled for help, Phanor fled, but not before stealing her credit card and cell phone, which he allegedly used at a neighboring smoke shop approximately 30 minutes later.
“In each case, the defendant targeted women in areas that, in the very early mornings, are desolate, with minimal surveillance,” Breen said during the hearing. “The defendant demonstrated a clear predatory pattern. He chose unpopulated areas, he targeted women who were either walking or jogging home, he attacked each of them from behind, choked them, and sexually assaulted each of the three victims.”
The accused was ordered held without bail.