Tip from suspect’s family leads to arrest in rape case against stranger who followed her into Manhattan building

A suspect wanted for stalking a stranger in a Manhattan apartment building and raping her in a stairwell has been apprehended – thanks to a tip from his stepfamily, a police source said Monday.

Jamel McIver was arrested Sunday for rape and sexual burglary in connection with an attack on the Upper West Side the day before.

McIver, 30, has already dealt with an unfinished sexual assault case in the Bronx.

In Saturday’s attack, he is accused of following the 21-year-old victim into a building near West End Avenue and West 65th Street around 1:20 a.m., cornering her in an elevator and threatening to kill her.

He then allegedly forced her out of the elevator and into the stairwell, where he raped her before fleeing.

The victim was treated at a nearby hospital.

Later that day, the NYPD released surveillance footage of the suspect and asked the public for help in identifying him, leading to a tip from his stepfamily.

McIver has had several previous arrests, including one in 2019, when he was charged with sexual assault, sexual burglary, and acts of harm to a child under 17. He is due back in court in this case on March 29. .

His indictment for the new arrest was expected in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday. According to police, he lives in East Harlem.