A 29-year-old Georgia man is in custody after authorities say he broke through a drywall closet partition into a neighboring apartment and violently assaulted a 15-year-old girl.
The Gainesville Police Department arrested Obed Reyes following the Aug. 4 incident at a residential complex on Summit Street Southeast. Reyes faces charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, burglary, criminal attempt, and two counts of third-degree cruelty to children.
According to investigators, Reyes broke into the victim’s apartment around 10 p.m. by smashing directly through a shared closet wall. Once inside, police said, Reyes targeted the 15-year-old resident, grabbing her by the hair and punching her repeatedly. Two young family members, ages 5 and 7, witnessed the assault inside the home.
The teenager briefly managed to break free and ran out into the building’s exterior breezeway. Reyes pursued her outside, caught her by the hair again, and continued striking her while allegedly threatening to rape her, law enforcement officials said.
Neighbors heard the girl’s screams and called 911. Officers arrived while the assault was still taking place and pulled Reyes off the teenager.
“I commend the witnesses’ quick response of calling 911 to get our officers there in time to prevent further torment and trauma of the victim,” Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish said in a statement. “‘See something, say something’ goes a long way in our community, and we are grateful to have a community that looks out for each other. Our officers did an excellent job removing a violent criminal off the streets, and that was just the beginning.”
Police noted that while Reyes and the victim lived in the same apartment building, they did not know each other prior to the incident.
Reyes is currently held without bond at the Hall County Jail. Jail records indicate that an immigration detainer has also been placed on him.
“The victim has a long road of recovery ahead following such traumatic events, and we hope our community can surround her with that support,” Parrish said.
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