Two teenage girls in Southbury, Connecticut, reportedly fended off an alleged knife-wielding attacker at Kettletown State Park on Monday afternoon, according to law enforcement officials. The girls utilized rocks to defend themselves before escaping to safety and seeking assistance from other park visitors during the incident, which investigators have described as an attempted sexual assault and robbery.
The alleged assault occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the state park, a popular recreational area known for its hiking trails and scenic views. Authorities were alerted to the situation after receiving a report of an assault, prompting a rapid response from both local and state police. Investigators with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) reported that 23-year-old Darius Moreno, a resident of Southbury, allegedly approached the girls from behind while they were hiking near Kettletown Brook. Moreno reportedly threatened the girls with a knife, forcing them deeper into a wooded area.
According to the arrest report, one of the girls attempted to dial 911, but Moreno allegedly knocked her to the ground, confiscated her phone, and covered her mouth and nose, restricting her breathing. Police stated that Moreno then demanded the second girl's phone, telling both that they could leave if they complied with his demands. Instead of complying, the girls reportedly initiated a defense. Police indicated that one girl managed to break free from her alleged assailant, grabbed a rock, and struck Moreno in the head. As investigators allege Moreno began to pull down the second girl’s pants, the first girl continued to throw rocks, creating an opportunity for both girls to escape. The teenagers then fled towards the parking lot, screaming for help, where several park visitors intervened and came to their aid.
When EnCon officers arrived at the scene, Southbury police had already detained Moreno. One witness reportedly told investigators that the suspect repeatedly apologized before officers took him into custody. Moreno was subsequently processed by state police and remains incarcerated as the legal proceedings continue.
The two girls sustained minor cuts and scrapes during the encounter, according to investigators. Moreno also received treatment for minor injuries before being processed. Authorities confirmed that the park visitors who assisted the girls played a crucial role in ensuring their safety until law enforcement arrived. Investigators later recovered critical evidence related to the incident, including a missing phone and Moreno’s car keys, the latter of which were located by an EnCon police K-9 unit.
According to the arrest report, Moreno admitted to investigators that he had changed his direction on the trail after observing the girls and then proceeded to follow them. He reportedly acknowledged brandishing a knife, taking one victim’s phone to prevent her from contacting emergency services, and pulling down one of the girl's pants. Police stated that Moreno informed investigators he had developed a sexual fantasy after viewing what he described as forceful pornography. He allegedly claimed his intention was solely to frighten the girls rather than to inflict physical harm. Authorities further reported that Moreno later discarded one victim’s phone from a hill and realized he had lost his car keys while attempting to flee the scene.
Moreno faces a comprehensive list of charges, including first-degree robbery, attempted third-degree sexual assault, first-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree strangulation, assault, threatening, interfering with an emergency call, and carrying a dangerous weapon, among several other offenses. Prosecutors have indicated that additional charges could be filed as the investigation progresses. Moreno was initially held on a $250,000 bond, which a judge later increased to $1.5 million during his arraignment. He has not yet entered a plea and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 21. Authorities are continuing to review all evidence as the case moves forward through the judicial system. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and personal safety, even in seemingly serene public environments like state parks.
