Suspect in Fern Street Rape Arrested in Springfield

One day after identified a suspect in a brutal crime Oct. 27 that changed one life and shocked a community, a measure of relief arrived Tuesday.

The suspect, Eddie Monroig-Rosario, 31, was arrested near a homeless shelter in Springfield at 9:35 a.m., WTIC 1080 News reported. He is charged in a warrant with first-degree sexual assault, strangulation and unlawful restraint.

Monroig-Rosario was expected to appear in Springfield District Court Tuesday afternoon on multiple charges, including being a fugitive from justice and resisting arrest.

The Springfield Police street crimes unit acted on a tip before taking Monroig-Rosario into custody, Officer Charles Youman said. Monroig-Rosario reportedly struggled with police in an attempt to flee.

Springfield probation officers also were involved. Monroig-Rosario was wanted in Springfield for possession of marijuana and motor vehicle violations.

Fast action leads to arrest

On Monday, Chief Strillacci told a news conference that investigators, led by Capt. Joseph LaSata, were searching for Monroig-Rosario in the rape of a jogger on Fern Street.

"I hope [the community] will understand that we are on our way to solving this crime," Strillacci said.

Monroig-Rosario, 31, who was last seen in Hartford Nov. 10, was described by police as Hispanic with dark skin, 5-10 and 165 pounds. He apparently was easy to identify because of several tattoos, including one on his abdomen that says "Saquiel O'Neill," rosary beads on his neck, and a marijuana plant and a scorpion on his chest.

A mug shot of Monroig-Rosario was distributed to media.

Strillacci said that Monroig-Rosario, who is also known as Eric Rosario-Romero, was linked to the crime by forensic evidence. Police reportedly checked DNA against federal databases, which produced a match.

"We have forensic evidence that connects him to this crime," Strillacci said. "The lab has asked us not to be specific about it but, being a sexual assault, you can imagine there are many opportunities for the transfer of physical evidence from one person to another."

Described as a drifter

Police said Monroig-Rosario is a drifter who is also wanted in Hartford for a home burglary Oct. 28 and in New York City for disorderly conduct. He is a suspect in three or four robberies in West Hartford and Hartford but is not a suspect in other sexual assaults, police said.

Monroig-Rosario was spotted in Hartford last week. He reportedly has family members in West Hartford and ties to Hartford and Springfield.

The victim, who was running along Fern Street, told police she was dragged into some bushes in the front yard of a residence. The brazen assault in a well-traveled area weighed on area residents and throughout town.

Two days after the attack, there was a spontaneous show of compassion, solidarity and strength.

"This is a quintessential West Hartford response to a heinous crime," Mayor Scott Slifka told a large group Oct. 29 during a morning candlelight vigil at the Morley School. "We are not going to be victims."

A community blog developed by a group called "Take Back the Morning," which helped spark the candlelight vigil, has posted information on self-defense classes and public safety. The blog has evolved into an ad hoc destination for women joggers seeking safety in numbers.

"Let this be the beginning of something strong," the blog says. "If you are interested in connecting with others to walk or run, please use this blog as a means of coming together."