SPRINGFIELD — A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault and kidnapping of a 17-year-old boy.
Ahmed Ahmed was taken into custody Tuesday at 4 p.m. on the 700 block of State Street by Springfield Police Special Victims Unit detectives.
The victim reported to police Friday that he was walking on Hancock Street around 8 p.m. May 30 when he was forcibly dragged into Johnny Appleseed Park by an unknown man.
The teenager was allegedly sexually assaulted before he was able to escape.
The victim ran approximately one mile home while the suspect chased him, according to police.
Special Victims Unit detectives reviewed city cameras and spoke with the victim and witnesses to identify Ahmed as a suspect.
Detectives applied for and were granted an arrest warrant Tuesday.
Ahmed is charged with kidnapping, aggravated rape during the commission of a felony, witness intimidation, stalking, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Police listed Ahmed as homeless.
Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers said this type of assault by a stranger is extremely rare in the city.
“I’d like to thank our Special Victims Unit Detectives who worked tirelessly on this case with a thorough investigation that will hopefully bring some justice to this victim and his family,” Akers said.
