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Maintenance Worker Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Guest At Nanuet Days Inn

NANUET, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A hotel guest, asleep in her room, was the victim of a shocking sexual assault.

Rockland County police say the suspect under arrest Friday works at the hotel and let himself in with a master key, CBS 2's Jessica Schneider reported.

Hector Ixcopal with a swollen and shut left eye, the result of a takedown by hotel guests, after the 38-year-old allegedly sexually assaulted a sleeping woman inside her room at the Days Inn in Nanuet.

"He used his master key," Clarkstown Police Department Sgt. Jo Anne Fratianni said.

Ixcopal is a maintenance worker at the hotel and lives in one of the rooms.

Days Inn in Nanuet
An alleged sexual assault involving a 38-year-old maintenance worker happened inside this Days Inn in Nanuet, N.Y. (Photo: CBS 2)

Police said he had a brief interaction with his alleged victim at some point Wednesday when she checked in, and then burst in to her room around 1:30 Thursday morning.

"She kicked and screamed and he ran out," Sgt. Fratianni said.

The victim ran to other guest's rooms pleading for help.

Police said those guests chased down Ixcopal, knocked him to the ground and restrained him until police arrived.

The victim was treated and then released from a local hospital after living out what was likely her worst nightmare.

Police said they are now warning women who stay at hotels and telling them to protect themselves.

"Always lock the interior locks on your door," Sgt. Fratianni said.

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