Father of Rape Victim Relieved Attacker is Behind Bars

A New Britain father is sharing his story exclusively with NBC Connecticut after police arrested the suspect accused of raping his teenage daughter.

Antonio Porter has been on the run for weeks, but detectives tracked him down today. NBC Connecticut is concealing the parent’s identity to protect the family.

“I really struggled not to fall down on my knees,” the victim’s father said as he described his reaction when police called him, letting them know the man accused of raping his daughter on September 6th was finally captured. “This guy stole my soul,” the parent explained.

This morning Hartford Police got a tip that Antonio Ponder was spotted in the city’s North End. They say they chased him down in a stolen car and arrested him at an apartment complex by Albany and Adams. “We can’t let a person like that be on the streets,” the victim’s father explained.

He said his entire family is grateful the convicted felon is off the streets - especially his 18-year-old, the target of his alleged random attack on West Main Street and Grove Hill in New Britain. “It was magical seeing her face when I got home seeing her relief saying they got him,” her father said.

The teen was walking home from a friends place around 9:30 p.m. when police say she was raped, beaten up, and robbed out of nowhere. Her father says she showed up at home with significant injuries and he called for help. “I don’t see how a monster would target a person like that,” he added.

The victim has been frightened ever since - worried Ponder would somehow find her and go after her again. Now that he’s behind bars, this family can try to move forward and stop being so afraid. “I'm hoping we can heal soon for my daughters sake,” her father said.