Suspect charged in Spring Garden parking garage rape

SPRING GARDEN (WPVI) -- The man accused of attacking and sexually assaulting a woman on New Year's Day in a Philadelphia parking garage has been formally charged.

32-year old Steven Woodson of Pittsburgh is charged with rape, robbery and attempted murder.

It happened before 11:00 a.m. Thursday inside a garage at 17th and Callowhill Streets in Spring Garden.

Authorities say Woodson followed the 33-year-old victim into the garage, robbed her and beat her unconscious.

The woman told police when she woke up she saw her attacker was on top of her, going through her pocketbook.

Police say Woodson then demanded the woman take off her clothes, and then he sexually assaulted her.

She fought and managed to break free and yell for help.

A husband and wife who had just pulled into the garage got out of their car and chased the suspect away.

Philadelphia Police Lt. Anthony McFadden explains, "They immediately, without hesitation, opened themselves up to the victim. Got that victim secured in the car, took care of her, while the other witness actually pursued and called 911 at the same time."

Police grabbed Woodson on the sidewalk a half block away outside the Bonnell building on the campus of the Community College of Philadelphia.

Police say they found items from the victim on him.

The victim was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital with multiple injuries.

Court records show Woodson has prior arrests for lewdness and robbery. Police say he was in town from Pittsburgh visiting his grandparents.

Police say a DNA sample was taken from Woodson and will be put into a national database to see if he is connected to any other crimes.

At this point, he does not appear to be a suspect in any open cases in Philadelphia.