The arrest of an alleged rapist, after his car’s license plate was caught on security cameras, has many in the community breathing a sigh of relief.
When security cameras pointed towards East Tremont Avenue captured a glimpse of the alleged perpetrator’s license plate, detectives from Bronx Special Victims ‘collared’ Christavian Trenier, 22, of Randall Avenue, on Friday, August 8.
“Yes, video footage revealed a vehicle that was involved, which did lead to the suspect and his apprehension,” stated a police source. “Detectives from Bronx Special Victims did conduct extensive video canvasses leading to the discovery of a silver vehicle involved in the crime.”
At the Throggs Neck Mall, at East Tremont Avenue and Scott Place, detectives gained a rare advantage because the building has cameras trained on East Tremont Avenue, not just the front of the shops, according to its management.
Detectives were able to get a partial license plate number from their camera that helped identify the suspect, management said.
“When we were approached by the police we immediately gave them access to our tapes. This is not the first time our cameras have been instrumental in apprehending a suspect.” a spokesperson for the property said.
The rape occurred at a secluded parking lot at the rear of 3395 E. Tremont Avenue at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 20. Trenier is charged with several counts including predatory sexual assault and rape in the first degree.
Many in the Waterbury-LaSalle and nearby Throggs Neck communities are breathing a little easier.
Community activist Annie Boller, a board member of the 45th Precinct Community Council, said that news of the arrest led to an overwhelming response on Community Board 10’s Facebook page.
“People are elated,” she said, adding that she believes the rape was at the forefront of local residents’ minds and something they were concerned about, based on the online response.
Boller also was aware of reports that Trenier has a prior criminal history, a fact confirmed by a police source.
The suspect has been charged seven times, for crimes including grand larceny, petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault, a police source stated.
“The escalations of his crimes over the course of his criminal ‘career’ is a bit unnerving,” said Boller. “Had he not been caught, would he kill somebody next? You can see the progression.”
She added: “I just really hope that when his trial comes there is solid evidence, like DNA, to put him away for awhile.”
Community Board 10 vice-chairman John Marano said that he was sure that Special Victims got a good deal of assistance from the 45th Precinct itself, and from the community.
“I am very happy that they caught the guy, but again I am sure that there was a lot of help from the public,” he said. “Here is the neighborhood working together with the police department.”
It is still unclear why the suspect was seen in earlier video footage wearing white medical scrubs. A police source said he is employed as a nutritionist at a facility servicing seniors.
Police have not linked him to any other rapes in the Bronx, a source confirmed.
