Another sexual assault has occurred in the North End in just over a month.
The assault happened on the Freedom Trail on Sunday, March 16 at about 10:30pm on Hull Street, a stone’s throw away from the Old North Church and on the route to Copps Hill Burial Ground.
A woman on her way home was apparently attacked from behind and forced into her building where she was allegedly assaulted by a white male who fled towards Commercial Street.
She described the suspect as a white male, between 5’10” or 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with brown/light brown hair wearing brown jeans and a brown coat.
Police are investigating the incident that has North Enders upset. They are seeking a witness or any video that may have captured something related to the assault.
Just about a month ago, the North End resident Ross Currier was arrested, arraigned in Boston Municipal Court and charge with one count of assault and battery and one count of indecent assault and battery related to a February 15 alleged assault of a 20-year-old woman on Unity Street.
Currier pleaded innocent and told police he had an alibi, he was with his fiancée at the time of the assault. She confirmed his alibi. He was released without bail and was ordered by the court to stay away from the victim and was forced to wear a GPS monitoring device on his ankle.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office told the Herald that they have review the 26-year-old defendant’s GPS date and said it does not link him to the latest assault.
The woman in the February 15 case previously identified another man from a police photo array who authorities said was jailed at the time before the victim identified Currier while sitting in a police vehicle near Polcari’s Playground where the suspect was playing basketball on March 10 about 7:10am.
The incidents took place the day after Valentine’s Day and the day before St. Patrick’s Day.
Police responded to the assaults by increasing uniform in undercover patrols. They also suggested that women in the North End walk in pairs when possible.
Following the first assault, police held a self-defense class in the Nazzaro Community Center where 40-50 local women attended. Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina sponsored the class.
“I always take it personally when attacks like this occur in my neighborhoods. I have a wife and a daughter who visit the North End all the time, so believe me when I say that safety is my number one concern. I’d recently organized a self-defense course at the Nazzaro Center that was led by the Boston Police Department and if I have to invite my brother, karate instructor Tokyo Joe, to hold another class I will gladly do so. I also urge all business and property owners to install cameras outside of their buildings. This will help to aid us in identifying any perpetrators in the future,” Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina said.
“The disturbing incidents of the past few weeks has been a clear reminder that, even though we are one of the safest neighborhoods in the City, we must continue to be vigilant in making sure that all of our residents feel free from danger,” State Representative Aaron Michlewitz said.