Brockport police arrest rape suspect

Brockport police have arrested the suspect accused of an early morning sexual assault that occurred in a Perry Street home on August 17. What began as an apparent burglary attempt on August 17 turned into a sexual assault, according to Brockport Chief of Police Daniel Varrenti.

Damien Michael Johnson, 23, of 41 Clinton Street, was charged August 21 with first degree rape, sodomy and burglary, officials said. He was held in Monroe County Jail in lieu of $250,000 following an arraignment in Sweden Town Court.

Varrenti said the victim and the suspect did not know each other. He said the evidence against Johnson was "overwhelming" but declined to elaborate. "Evidence gathered at the scene of the crime indicates it began as a burglary," Varrenti said.

While Varrenti refused to elaborate on any items that may have been taken during the break-in at the Perry Street home, he said initial signs indicate the early morning crime turned into a rape when the suspect found the victim asleep in one of the bedrooms. She was attacked at knifepoint, he said.

At some point during the attack, Varrenti said, the woman was able to escape. "She seized the opportunity to escape and she took it ... I commend her for that," he said. He also declined giving information on how the woman managed to escape.

Varrenti said he doesn't want to cause a panic in the village but he said that one incident like this is one too many. While Varrenti said he has heard people saying that everyone should lock all of their doors and windows, he said that with the recent hot weather that might not be a plausible course of action. "It's a good idea, but might not always be realistic."

He urged individuals to travel in groups, make certain they are not followed when they are going to or from their homes and to exercise caution. "The woman who was assaulted didn't put herself in a compromising position," he said. "She did nothing to put herself in harm's way."

Johnson is scheduled to appear in Sweden Town Court Monday for a preliminary hearing.