Fresno Police said 24-year-old Micah Collins beat and raped a 52-year-old homeless woman early Sunday morning. Investigators said the woman was beat so badly that she was unrecognizable.
Chief Jerry Dyer said on Tuesday that Collins and the victim were acquaintances on the street. He said Collins is homeless too, and the two had met over the weekend.
A surveillance camera in the back of AM Beauty Supply near Shields and Palm captured the entire attack, according to police.
Sally Bukilica works for Marion’s & Co., which neighbors AM Beauty Supply. Bukilica commented, “It’s hard to believe it happened right here in our place. I’ve been here for 57 years, I’ve never seen something like that, never.”
Bukilica said she knows the victim, who is known to frequent the area daily.
“You could not miss her, and we would have a habit of looking for her cause she was so different than most homeless,” stated Bukilica.
Dyer explained how the assault started, “He [Collins] had taken her backpack that she had been carrying. She got into the alleyway, just behind the business, immediately there was some sort of a struggle that ensued, and the suspect immediately punched the victim with his left hand in the face, knocking her to the ground.”
Collins then allegedly raped the victim, and punched her several times in the face.
“He’s an animal, he’s an individual that does not to be free in our society and I am thankful that he has been arrested and removed from our streets,” stated Dyer.
The Chief said Collins was arrested Sunday evening, with the help of information from other homeless people. Collins allegedly gave a partial confession, and Dyer said Collins admitted to hitting the victim and having sex with her. A photo released by FPD shows Collins also had cuts on his hand. Collins allegedly told detectives he assaulted the victim because she had “disrespected him”.
Bukilica describes the victim as a strong woman, and is shocked the crimes happened to her.
“I would never tangle with her, never,” ended Bukilica.
Dyer explained that victim had been living on the streets for the last few years.
He said, “She not only has a bachelor’s degree, but she has a master’s degree. She was in a good career, had a great job, and was down on her luck at one point about four years ago.”
The victim suffered multiple facial fractures and is currently in stable condition at the hospital.