The man arrested New Year’s Day in the rape and beating of a woman in a Philadelphia parking garage was on the run from authorities in Pittsburgh in connection with another sexual offense, court records show.
Police said Steven Woodson, 32, attacked a 33-year-old woman as she walked to her car in a garage at 17th and Callowhill streets in the city’s Franklintown section about 10:35 a.m. Thursday.
Police said the woman told investigators she was approached from behind while getting off a second-floor elevator.
A man placed his hand over her mouth and demanded money, police said. When the woman offered her purse, the assailant said he wanted cash only and choked the victim until she lost consciousness.
When the woman woke up, she was between two parked cars, with the man on top of her. He told her to take the battery out of her cell phone and when she wasn't able to remove it, he beat her in the head and face, and she lost consciousness.
Police said the woman was sexually assaulted when she regained consciousness. At one point, the woman was able to break free and ran screaming for help.
The suspect fled but was stopped by officers about 11 a.m. Thursday, police said.
Woodson is being charged with rape, attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery and other offenses, officials said.
Woodson was sentenced to state prison in 1999 for seven to 15 years for robbery. He was released Nov. 14, 2013.
Port Authority police arrested Woodson last May on charges of open lewdness, indecent exposure and harassment.
A woman accused Woodson of masturbating near her on the morning of May 19 on a light-rail transit vehicle, according to a police affidavit. The woman picked him out of a photo lineup after a parole agent identified Woodson from surveillance video.
Woodson did not show up for his November trial, and Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Also in November, a Philadelphia judge issued a warrant for Woodson's arrest for violating the conditions of his probation in a 1998 attempted murder and robbery case.
In that case, Woodson was sentenced to seven to 15 years after he was found guilty of attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault and other charges.
First Published January 2, 2015, 10:05am