An “appalling” Massachusetts man allegedly raped a 74-year-old woman at a senior living facility, according to reports.
Giani Morales, 27, was arraigned Wednesday in a Milford court on charges including sexual assault, home invasion and burglary in Tuesday’s attack at Surfside Apartments in West Haven, the Connecticut Post reported.
The elderly victim — who moved to the complex for seniors and disabled residents just weeks ago — told cops she went to walk her dog when Morales approached her and “began to push up on her” as she waited for an elevator, a police report shows.
The elevator arrived, but a man who was afraid of dogs was inside, prompting the woman to wait for the next one, police said.
Morales then allegedly exposed himself while standing beside the woman, leading her to retreat to her apartment. He then barged into the residence as she opened the door, police said.
The woman told detectives that Morales proceeded to rape her inside her apartment after she tried to fight him off, according to the police report.
The elderly victim told cops she convinced Morales to let her open the door to allow her dog back inside after it got locked out, giving the woman a chance to run outside and get help in the lobby, the newspaper reported.
Responding cops then found Morales passed out in her apartment, where he was arrested, police said.
“This is one of the most appalling scenarios that I have read in a police report in the 25-plus years that I have been a judge,” Judge Maureen Dennis told Morales Wednesday.
Dennis set Morales’ bond at $1.25 million. Prosecutors said the victim was still hospitalized as of Wednesday and may have suffered a heart attack during the assault.
Police also recovered a knife and chain they believe belonged to Morales inside the woman’s apartment.
Tenants at the public housing complex, meanwhile, are reportedly demanding more security following the alleged rape.
Morales, of Springfield, followed behind a delivery person to get inside the building, WTIC reported.
Residents have planned a Saturday rally in support of the 74-year-old victim and to call for more security. Savin Rock Communities, which oversees public housing in West Haven, is now ramping up security at the complex with increased security guard presence, the Ridgefield Press reported.
“I’m afraid, and we shouldn’t have to live life like that,” one resident, Frances Trapani, told the newspaper. “Nobody cares what’s going on with the tenants here.”