This article covers a daylight assault at Kettletown State Park where two teens fought off an alleged attacker, the charges prosecutors filed, and how quick thinking and help from bystanders led to an arrest while the suspect reportedly described his actions as acting out a sexual fantasy.
Two Connecticut teenagers were hiking near Kettletown State Park when a 23-year-old man approached and allegedly forced them into the woods while threatening them with a knife. Officials say the man grabbed one girl, held a knife to her throat, and dragged both victims deeper into the trees as he threatened them. The girls managed to resist and, with grit and quick thinking, escaped to the parking area where other park visitors assisted.
Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt identified the suspect as 23-year-old Darius Moreno, who authorities say has been living in his vehicle. At arraignment Moreno reportedly said he was “sorry,” that he was into aggressive pornography and just wanted to act out a sexual fantasy. Prosecutors are treating the case seriously and moving to add additional charges based on the allegations.
https://x.com/connpost/status/2077412921517236348
Moreno was charged with two counts each of criminal attempt at third-degree sexual assault, first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree breach of peace, third-degree assault, second-degree threatening and one count each of third-degree strangulation, first-degree robbery, interfering with an emergency call, carrying a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.
The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on Monday. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police responded to the park after receiving a report of an assault.
Southbury police had already detained the suspect, 23-year-old Darius Moreno, of Southbury, when EnCon officers arrived, the report said.
The girls told police that they were hiking along Kettletown Brook when Moreno suddenly came up behind one of them, put her in a chokehold, and held a knife to her throat, according to the report.
Moreno then forced the two girls farther into the woods while threatening them with the knife and pulling one of the girls’ hair, police said.
The report said that one of the girls took out her phone to call the police, but Moreno allegedly lunged at her, knocked her to the ground, pushed her face into the ground, and took her phone. He also covered her mouth and nose with his hand, restricting her ability to breathe, the report stated.
Investigators said Moreno then demanded the second girl hand over her phone before pulling both girls deeper into the woods. He told the girls that if they did what he wanted, they would be allowed to leave, according to the police report.
Faced with that threat, one of the teens fought back. According to police accounts, she broke free, grabbed a rock, and struck the alleged assailant in the head. Those blows disrupted Moreno, and the girls began to scream and run toward the parking lot where other visitors intervened and helped secure the scene.
Bystanders who arrived at the scene reported hearing Moreno repeatedly say, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” before officers took him into custody. The girls suffered only minor cuts and scrapes, and Moreno received treatment for minor injuries at a hospital prior to processing. Investigators later recovered a missing phone and Moreno’s car keys with the help of a police K-9.
The police report includes statements that Moreno admitted to brandishing the knife and taking one victim’s phone to prevent a call for help, and that he pulled down one girl’s pants, claiming he only intended to scare them. Prosecutors say Moreno’s intent and the scope of the alleged conduct justify adding two counts of first-degree kidnapping to the roster of charges.
What stands out is how vulnerable people can be even in public, populated places during the day, and how decisive action by victims and others can change the outcome. The teens’ resistance and the assistance of park visitors likely prevented a far worse outcome and gave law enforcement what they needed to detain the suspect. Authorities stress the importance of reporting suspicious activity quickly, and they continue to investigate the incident.
With a long list of charges and prosecutors signaling they will pursue additional counts, the case will move through the courts where facts and evidence will be examined. For now, the two victims are recovering and the community is left to process that a violent attempt unfolded in a place many consider safe. The swift response by the teens and bystanders turned what could have been a tragedy into a case that can be addressed through the criminal justice system.
Add comment