Thomas Gallishaw was arraigned on a 26-count indictment that included predatory sexual assault, first-degree rape, first-degree robbery as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree sexual abuse and other charges.

As alleged by the district attorney, on June 12, 2018 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Gallishaw targeted his victim in front of 28 Stuyvesant Avenue as she exited a nearby building on her way to a laundromat. He allegedly put her in a headlock and placed a knife to her neck before he dragged her into the alley behind the building where he threw her to the ground and raped her.

According to the DA’s Office, a neighbor heard the commotion in the alleyway and called 911 at the same time the defendant fled with the victim’s cell phone and purse.

Responding officers passed the defendant on the way out of the alleyway and tried to stop him from leaving. After the defendant allegedly fled the scene, cops were able to locate him using a location app on the victim’s phone. Police allegedly found the knife on the defendant at the time of his arrest.

Earlier that same night, at approximately 9:45 p.m., the defendant allegedly attacked a 32-year-old woman at Kosciusko Street and Nostrand Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. According to the indictment, the defendant approached her from behind, displayed a knife, threw her to the ground and climbed on top of her before that victim’s boyfriend was able to intercede and the defendant ran away.

Gallishaw was held on $1 million bail and is expected to return to court on Sept. 13. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top charge.

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