Rape suspect who abducted victim from BART charged

(KRON) — A man wanted in connection to a rape that occurred overnight on May 18 on the BART Path in El Cerrito has been arrested and charged, police announced Wednesday.

Malachi Josiah Attaway, 18, of Richmond, was taken into custody on Aug. 13 after El Ceritto Police Department detectives identified him as the suspect. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Attaway for:

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• Forcible rape
• Sodomy by use of force
• Forcible oral copulation
• Forcible sexual penetration

All counts carry enhancements of aggravated circumstance.

Attaway, police said, began talking to his victim on the night of May 17 at the El Cerrito del Norte BART Station before abducting her and taking her to the Ohlone Greenway between Hill and Blake streets, commonly referred to as the BART Path. There, he allegedly sexually assaulted the victim between midnight and 1:30 a.m. the following morning.

Court records show Attaway is also facing a separate case for second-degree robbery. He is expected back in court Sept. 4 for both cases.

Bail was set at $4 million. Attaway remains in custody as of Wednesday.