Suspect arrested in overnight rape on Manhattan stairs

A man is in custody after being brutally assaulted and raped in an Upper West Side stairwell early Saturday morning.

Police say Jamel McIver, 30, of East 121st Street, has been charged with rape, sexual burglary and criminal sexual act in connection with an incident that took place at 1:00 a.m. Saturday near West End Avenue and 65th Street. th West Street.

The suspect allegedly followed the 21-year-old woman into the building and on to the elevator before dragging her to a nearby stairwell, where he allegedly assaulted her.

She told police that he forced her to return to the street before escaping on foot. The woman was taken to the hospital.