Springfield Police Arrest Sexual Assault Suspect
Springfield, Mass. — On Sunday May 12th at approximately 6:25 a.m., Springfield Police Officers arrested 31-year-old Jovan Murphy in connection with an armed assault.
Around 3:45 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Union Street for a report of a stabbing victim. Officers located an adult female who had her throat cut by an unknown man. Officers provided medical care before the victim was transported to Baystate with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
The victim stated an unknown man, later identified as Murphy, followed her on Union Street and held a blade to her neck and cut her with a box cutter as she fought him off and escaped.
Members of the Springfield Police Real-Time Analysis Center (R-TAC) were able to capture a photo of the suspect and share it with officers. Officers located Murphy on Montpelier Street and detained in the Oswego Street area. He was positively identified and placed under arrest. Officers recovered a box cutter.
Springfield Police SVU Detectives then were able to link Murphy to an assault & battery and sexual assault that occurred on May 3rd. He was positively identified in that case and additional charges were brought forth.
31-year-old Jovan Murphy of Springfield is charged with:
- Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Two Counts)
- Armed Assault to Murder (Two Counts)
- Mayhem
- Aggravated Rape
- Strangulation or Suffocation
- Armed Kidnapping with Sexual Assault
- Threat to Commit Crime
