A resident of Bronx faces the prospect of a lifetime behind bars, following his convictions for sexually violating three women, which he carried out within a week at his residence. In May, Kemoy Royal was found guilty by a court of law for a spate of sexual offences, which culminated in him being handed a prison sentence ranging from 34 years to life, according to a statement released by Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on a Friday.
The chain of horrific incidents started with Royal’s first encounter with a victim, which took place through a dating application. After several days of interactions over the platform, the 27-year-old woman agreed to visit his Eastchester dwelling place on the 13th of June, 2022, with trust in their newly formed bond. However, the meeting took a dark turn when Royal violated her and subjected her to unsolicited sexual activities.
Without letting a single day pass, Royal set his sights on another woman, 26 years old, whom he stated was an acquaintance’s friend. He managed to persuade her into coming to his residence under false pretenses. Once there, Royal turned confrontational, threatening her life, forbidding her exit, and endeavoring to coerce her into a sexual act while choking her. Only after enduring these traumatic episodes over several hours was the second victim allowed to finally leave the premises.
The chronicles of terror didn’t end there. On 18th June 2022, a third woman fell prey to Royal’s wicked scheme. After connecting with him through a dating application, the 24-year-old visited his residence. In a tragic echo of earlier events, Royal confiscated her mobile phone and confined her inside the house, threatening her life. He then infamously replicated his earlier pattern, sexually violated and strangulation victim, just like the prior two.
However, this victim managed to find a glimmer of hope in a dire situation through an online food order. The unsuspecting platform of this resourceful distress call happened to be Grubhub, and the unsuspecting recipients – employees of the Chipper Truck Café in Yonkers. Her order of an Irish breakfast sandwich and a hamburger was not just for sustenance but was designed to be a beacon, signaling her desperate need for intervention.
The catchy surveillance footage from the café interior reveals the moment in which the staff receives the unique Grubhub order. It wasn’t just the food request that caught their attention; an SOS note buried within the details stirred a call to action. Recalling the incident, the café owner, Valentine Bernejo, instructed the staff to stop everything, summon the police, forego the delivery – this situation was an emergency.
Echoing Valentine’s words, Alice Bernejo emphasized the significance of their staff’s attention to detail. As per Alice, she consistently educates her team to examine every nuance of the order meticulously. The fulfillment of this simple yet overlooked practice was the vital turning point that led to the victim’s timely rescue.
The crisply written plea for assistance revealed the terrifying reality – the woman was held captive situational by an unfamiliar man. Within the Grubhub order’s ‘additional instructions’ section, the captive woman inscribed a hushed cry for help which stated ‘please call the police’ and advised the staff to not make the intervention evident.
Promptly acting on the distress call, the café workers reached out to local law enforcement. The police, in response, carried out their duty and in no time arrived at a residence located on Pratt Avenue. The incident culminated just after six in the morning with the arrival of police at Royal’s doorstep.
Royal, anticipating the arrival of his breakfast order, was taken aback as he faced police officers instead. The police apprehended Royal, effectively putting an end to his reign of terror. Furthermore, they successfully ensured the safe extraction of the woman held captive in the house.
As of now, information pertaining to legal representation for the 34-year-old, Royal, remains unavailable. The perpetrator, in total disregard for the sanctity of human dignity and rights, stands as a reminder of the horror individuals can inflict on unsuspecting victims. His twisted actions not only inflicted physical harm on his victims but also has left a lasting impact on their psychological well-being.
The women caught up in Royal’s sinister plan demonstrated extraordinary bravery and resilience. Their ordeal stands testament to their strength and willpower to escape the clutches of their captor, especially the last victim, who resourcefully implemented a unique escape strategy.
The courage and prompt action from the Chipper Truck Café staff asserts their pivotal role in this situation. Their practice of reading the fine print – an otherwise overlooked detail – became the turning point which facilitated the intervention and subsequent rescue of the victim.
Tales such as these reiterate the importance of being cautious, especially in the digital age, where meeting strangers has become increasingly common. It also sheds light on the critical role that every community member, even a café worker, can play in ensuring one’s safety, thus potentially saving lives.