Attack captured on surveillance tape

Police say there’s been an arrest in the case of a woman who was attacked while praying in a Catholic church. (Middletown – WABC, May 18, 2007) (WABC) — The suspect is identified as John Michael Petry. Police say he has previous arrests dating back to 1981 including previous sexual assaults. It is said the suspect has been homeless but was most recently living at a rooming house Police are crediting an off duty firefighter who spotted the suspect, followed him, and called police. “He approached the subject and asked him about directions to the mall. The suspect at that time was somewhat belligerent and ignored him. He continued to follow him and getting a closer look and confirming his suspicion that this must be the person he saw on the news.” said a Detective familiar with the case. “I got out of my vehicle, and I said I know you. And he looked up at me in a blank stare, and he got on his bicycle and rode away.” said Michael Bennedetto, the firefighter. Police Chief Matthew Byrne says the 58-year-old woman was praying in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Church in Middletown, Thursday when the attack happened. The woman was there in what the church calls ‘perpetual adoration’ where parishioners volunteer to sit in the church for an hour so someone is always praying. The whole incident was recorded by the church’s security cameras — cameras installed after it was robbed two years ago. On the tape, the man walks in and sits across the aisle from the woman in another pew. And for 20 minutes, police say, he sits and watches the 58-year-old woman. The video shows that, at times, his hands are down his pants, according to police. He then leaves minutes later. When he returned, he goes over to the woman, reaches into her shirt and grabs her chest, according to Byrne. But on this night, she was writing notes and used her pen to stab him. The man ran off and now police say they have their man. “A crime like this that occurs in a place of worship has a chilling effect on the community,” Byrne said. “There’s no place sacred anymore … it’s really sad,” a resident said. Police will give more details on the arrest at a news conference later Friday morning. Stay with Eyewitness News and 7online.com for any developments on this story. See the Story Here