According To Police, Woman Was Raped On A Commuter Train As Bystanders Did Nothing

UPPER DARBY, Pa. — On a commuter train in suburban Philadelphia, a lady was raped by a stranger in the presence of several passengers who, according to a police officer, “should have done something.”

Officers were summoned to the 69th Street station approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday following the attack on the westbound Market-Frankford Line train, according to Upper Darby Police Department Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt.

According to Bernhardt, a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority employee who was in the area as the train passed by phoned police to report that “something wasn’t right” with a lady onboard the train.

Police from SEPTA were waiting at the next stop when they discovered the lady and detained a guy. The woman was transported to the hospital for treatment.

The victim was described by Bernhardt as an “unbelievably powerful woman” who supplied cops with a wealth of information. He said she had no idea who her assailant was.

Bernhardt stated, “She’s on the mend.” “I’m hoping she’ll be able to get through this.”

Bernhardt said the whole incident was caught on security footage, which also showed other passengers aboard the train at the time.

“In my perspective, there were a lot of individuals who should have interfered; someone should have done something,” Bernhardt added. “It reflects where we are as a culture; after all, who would allow such a thing to happen? As a result, it’s concerning.”

According to Delaware County court records, Fiston Ngoy, 35, has been charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault, and associated offenses. SEPTA and Upper Darby police are both aware of Bernhardt, according to him.

A defense counsel is not mentioned in court papers, and a phone number for him could not be obtained on Saturday.

SEPTA released a statement condemning the incident as “horrendous criminal conduct” and urged anybody who witnesses it to contact the police.

“There were other individuals on the train who saw this horrible crime, and the train might have been halted sooner if a passenger had phoned 911,” the authority stated.