Dunkin’ cup leads law enforcement to Medford rape suspect hours after attack

MEDFORD, Mass. — It took less than 24 hours for investigators to identify, locate and arrest a 28-year-old Medford man in connection to a rape and violent assault that took place in the city’s Middlesex Fells Reservation Friday.

Winchester Police were originally called to the scene just before 8:30 in the morning Friday after a report of a woman being attacked. Upon arrival, they located the 48-year-old woman who they said looked badly beaten and was bleeding heavily from her face. She was transported to Mass General Hospital.

Officials also spoke with another woman who had interacted with that victim after she had emerged from the woods following the attack. That witness interview led investigators to a spot in the woods where they located items belonging to the victim and the suspect - later identified as Brady McCue, 28, of Medford - including the victim’s hat and the suspect’s sweatshirt.

Investigators also found a Dunkin’ coffee cup belonging to the suspect that had a sticker, which helped them determine when and where the drink was purchased - a Medford Square Dunkin’ earlier that morning. There, law enforcement was able to gather a photo of McCue from a video of him purchasing that cup of coffee. That photo was then used to identify the suspect after officials showed it to nearby residents.

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McCue was later located at his Medford apartment, where police spoke with him before placing him under arrest.

“He told officers that that morning he had been restless. He had gone for a couple of walks and that, before he purchased the coffee at the Dunkin Donuts, he had left his apartment with the intention of hurting someone, later indicating that he left the apartment with the intention to kill someone,” Carrie Spiros, the Assistant District Attorney, alleged.

McCue has been charged with armed assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, kidnapping, and four counts of aggravated rape.

“Once he got to the Fells, Mr. McCue stated that he picked up a rock and put it in his pocket and he walked a little further. At that point, he saw the victim. He noted to investigators that she was small and that she was pretty and that she seemed to be walking. Once he walked past her, he took out the rock and began to strike her in the head. He punched her twice. He said, ‘come with me,’ and then he dragged her into a wooded area off of the main pathway area,” Spiros alleged.

“He estimated to investigators he hit her or struck her about the face area 14 times with either the rock or his hands.”

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That victim even played dead following the attack after McCue asked her if she was okay as he left the area.

“The victim told later in a subsequent interview that she actually said nothing, hoping to essentially pretend she was dead so he would not come back and hurt her further,” Spiro alleged.

McCue was arraigned Monday in Somerville District Court. He allegedly told investigators that he is schizophrenic and was off his medication.

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