Man Accused Of Strangling, Raping Woman In Silver Spring: Police

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Silver Spring man accused of hitting, strangling, and raping a woman at an apartment building was arrested on Monday, according to authorities.

Kevin Mendoza, 26, has been charged with first-degree rape, first-degree assault, and attempted second-degree murder, court records reveal.

On Aug. 16, shortly before midnight, Montgomery County Police responded to the 8500 block of 16th St. in Silver Spring for the report of a rape.

According to detectives, the victim was carrying items from her vehicle in the parking lot to the apartment building when she noticed a man following her. As she unlocked the door to the building, the man reportedly grabbed her from behind, threw her on the floor, and began strangling her with his hands as she tried to escape.

Police say she was struck multiple times in the face and head with a closed fist. The man then raped her.

The woman suffered multiple injuries during the attack, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. At the hospital, doctors told detectives that the strangulation could've killed her, police said.

During the investigation, detectives learned that Mendoza was a former resident of the apartment building. Police arrested Mendoza in Silver Spring on Monday.