Man Tried To Rape Teen In Silver Spring Apartment Lobby: Police

SILVER SPRING, MD — A man was arrested for attempting to rape a 17-year-old female in an apartment building lobby in Silver Spring, Montgomery County Police announced Friday.

Nahom Mamo, 19, of an unconfirmed address, was charged with sexual assault for the Thursday morning incident. He admitted that he "wanted to have sexual intercourse" with the victim during a police interview.

Police responded to the 8700 block of Colesville Rd. at 7:29 a.m.

The victim told police Mamo tried to engage her in conversation as she walked past him. During the conversation, Mamo allegedly grabbed the victim by her wrists and sexually assaulted her, police said.

The victim broke free from Mamo's grasp, fled and called 9-1-1.

She provided responding officers with the suspect’s description. Officers located a man exiting the apartment building who matched the suspect’s description and whose pants were unzipped, police said.

The victim identified Mamo as the suspect who had assaulted her. Mamo was arrested and during a police interview, he admitted to grabbing the victim and told detectives that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her, police said.

Mamo was transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with attempted second-degree rape, fourth-degree sexual offense – sexual contact, and second-degree assault, police said.

Mamo was held without bond and will have bond review Friday in District Court.

Photo via MCPD