Boy, 15, charged in Coverstone area attacks
Police have caught a 15-year-old boy who they believe attacked five women in the Coverstone area since August.
On Aug. 26, a 32-year-old woman was attacked as she walked her dog in the 11000 block of Hiram Court at 7:15 a.m. The woman told police that she was knocked to the ground and beaten. She yelled for help and her attacker ran away when people came to her rescue.
Two other women were attacked Oct. 6.
Police believed at the time that the October attacks were related to an assault in August, though there were differences in the way the attacks were carried out, said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.
One of the victims from an October attack told police she was walking along a path between some apartment buildings and a shopping center in the 10900 block of Coverstone Drive when a man grabbed her, punched her in the face and sexually assaulted her.
The 25-year-old victim was taken to the hospital and treated for a broken nose, a laceration to her left leg and several abrasions, Hernandez said.
Later that night, a 33-year-old woman was attacked while sitting in her car in the 7500 block of Clemson Court, near Coverstone Drive, police said.
She told police that her attacker walked up to her car, opened the door, punched her in the face and tried to drag her from the car. She fought off the assailant, Hernandez said.
On Oct. 30, police were notified of an attack around noon near the stairwell of an apartment building in the 7700 block of Keara Court.
The 36-year-old victim told police that she fought back when she was grabbed by the neck and thrown into stair railings.
Her assailant ran off when she called for help and people came to her rescue, Hernandez said.
The fifth woman was attacked shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Hernandez said.
The 36-year-old victim told police that she was walking through Barron Park, in the area of Coverstone and Aaron drives, when she was attacked from behind. Her attacker bit and punched her but she was able to fight free and call the police, Hernandez said.
Shortly after the Tuesday attack, the boy called police to report the incident, but didn't tell police he was involved.
Officer George F. Kimball was talking to the boy when he received the call about the attack on the 36-year-old woman.
Kimball noticed that the boy matched the description the woman had given to the police.
Kimball arrested the boy, and, after an investigation, charged him with three counts of abduction, five counts of malicious wounding, one count of sexual battery and one count of attempted rape. The 15-year-old was held without bond and is awaiting a hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Hernandez said.
Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.
Reader Reactions
Great work officer Kimball
I actually spoke to the boy one Sunday morning while walking my dog. He didn’t see her until he was right up on us, she was behind the tree. When he saw her he looked freightened and walked on the grass away from us. He was tall for his age, no more than 15 or 16 and he looked as though he was off his meds. He looked mentally challenged.
I must give it to Price William’s Police Dept. They were out here combing the neighborhoods, talking to the residents, informing the public to be on the look out and to be aware of their suroundings. They didn’t stop until this boy was in custody. They caught a break though when he called the cops on himself, now tell me if thats not a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic I don’t know what is….
I hate to say this but sexual predators rarely change habits. Thank God they caught him and he will be punished. Not only did he attack he beat his victims without mercy. He deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law. It is my opinion that he should be charged as an adult!
I think the people who are being attacked, for the same reason as someone who sees someone about to be hit by a car and says nothing, is basically mentally paralyzed at the moment. You know, at that moment, your brain has to recognize an attacker, an attack about to happen and fighting back. That’s a lot to wrap your brain around when the attacker unfortunately is ready to attack. Just more of my thoughts 
mainmomsmother - didn’t you just comment on how young he is and is starting this behavior? As a mom how can you suggest any young person be put away for life in a situation like this? I say he needs to be corrected. He’ll get correction through the system hopefully, but hopefully he will also turn his life around. I don’t think throwing him away for life is the answer…
What amazes me in cases like this is the lack of immediate retaliation by the people being victimized. I guess the animals doing the attacking have an animal instinct that points them to the helpless.
One can only hope that someday he attacks someone with combat training or martial arts training or someone with a legal concealed carry weapon. Punishment administered on the spot would have more deterrent effect than a court proceeding.
Wow so young and he is already starting this behavior?
He needs to be put away for life.
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