ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Some people who live near the corner store on Central Park and Scio Street in Rochester where alleged sexual attacks happened say they weren’t comfortable shopping there. That includes Brenda Miller, who lives a block away.
“I just felt really uncomfortable because he was always making passes at me,” she said.
Miller’s talking about one of the two men arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a young girl inside the store last month. Police feared there would be more possible victims. Now, four more have come forward to authorities, for a total of five.
A grand jury indicted Shadad Alghaithy, 20, on three counts of first-degree rape, two counts of second-degree rape, three counts of third-degree rape, three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of first-degree criminal sexual act, one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, and second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the case. James Hampton, 28, has been indicted on two counts of first-degree rape, second-degree rape, third-degree rape, and second and third degree criminal possession of a weapon.
“He kept asking me to put my cell number in his phone and I kept telling him, ‘no, I’m not interested,’” Miller alleged. “He got mad. He got really mad. I just got tired of it so I stopped going.”
The case is now being handled by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. The Rochester Police Department is asking anybody who could be a potential victim to come forward.
In the meantime, Miller is working with her county legislator, Mercedes Vazquez Simmons, to create a neighborhood support group aimed at helping the community heal.
“I think it will be a lot better and they will be able to benefit from...services," said Miller. "She was actually going to talk to the church, the pastor that I know. So hopefully we can get something going.”
Alghaithy and Hampton are set to be arraigned on Monday.