Downtown Rochester is reeling after a string of sexual assaults left the community shaken and authorities searching for answers. According to statements from the Rochester Police Department and coverage by WHAM and WHEC, 29-year-old Ronnie Brooks—also identified as Ronnie Brooks Jr.—has been arrested and charged in connection with three separate sexual assaults that occurred between late October and late November 2025. The alleged attacks targeted victims as young as 15 and as old as 21, and all took place in the heart of the city, near some of Rochester’s busiest public spaces.
The first incident, according to police reports cited by WHAM, occurred on October 29, 2025. Brooks allegedly forced a 16-year-old boy to accompany him to a secluded area along the Genesee River, off Bragdon Place and St. Paul Street. There, police say, Brooks forced the boy to perform oral sex and then raped him. The assault, which took place in broad daylight, stunned the community and set off an intensive investigation by Rochester’s Major Crimes Special Victims Unit.
Less than a month later, on November 20, another attack was reported. This time, the victim was a 21-year-old woman. According to WHEC, Brooks followed the woman out of the RTS Transit Center—a major transportation hub in downtown Rochester—before grabbing her and inappropriately touching her on North Clinton Avenue. Police noted that Brooks did not know the woman prior to the alleged assault, suggesting a pattern of predatory behavior targeting strangers in public spaces.
Just one week after the second assault, on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, Brooks allegedly struck again. The third victim, a 15-year-old girl, was reportedly grabbed near Andrews Street and St. Paul Street. According to police statements, Brooks forcefully touched her in a sexual manner. When the girl screamed and tried to escape, Brooks pinned her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. The attack was interrupted only when the victim’s efforts to get away drew attention, but not before significant harm had been done.
Following the attacks, law enforcement intensified their efforts to locate and apprehend Brooks. A U.S. Marshals task force ultimately took Brooks into custody on Friday, December 5, 2025. He was booked into Monroe County Jail and now faces a litany of charges, including rape, attempted rape, and two counts of sexual abuse. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Brooks’ arrest has brought some relief to a city on edge, but the investigation is far from over. As WHAM and WHEC both report, police are actively working to determine whether Brooks may have been involved in other incidents. The Major Crimes Special Victims Unit is combing through recent reports and encouraging anyone who may have additional information or who may have been victimized to come forward. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more victims, noting that serial offenders often have a pattern of escalating behavior over time.
Brooks’ criminal history is also under scrutiny. According to police, he has three prior felony and three prior misdemeanor convictions. While details about those prior convictions have not been released, the revelation has raised questions about how Brooks was able to move freely in the community despite his record. Law enforcement officials have not commented on whether Brooks was under supervision at the time of the alleged assaults or if he was known to local authorities before the recent string of attacks.
The locations of the assaults—St. Paul Street, the Genesee River, North Clinton Avenue, and Andrews Street—are all well-trafficked areas in downtown Rochester. These are places where residents and visitors alike expect a basic level of safety, and the attacks have prompted calls for increased patrols and better lighting in vulnerable spots. Community leaders are urging city officials to review security measures at transit centers and along riverfront paths, especially as winter darkness sets in earlier each day.
For many Rochester residents, the news has been a chilling reminder that public safety can never be taken for granted. The attacks have sparked conversations about how to better protect vulnerable populations, particularly young people who often rely on public transit or walk through the city’s downtown corridors. Parents and guardians have expressed concern about letting their children travel alone, and some community organizations are stepping up efforts to provide safe spaces and resources for those at risk.
The response from law enforcement has been swift, but officials acknowledge that more needs to be done. The Rochester Police Department has urged anyone with information about the assaults or about Brooks’ activities to contact the Major Crimes Special Victims Unit. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for expanded support services for survivors of sexual assault, including counseling and legal assistance. They emphasize that recovery from such trauma is a long process and that community support is crucial.
At the same time, the case has reignited debates about the criminal justice system’s handling of repeat offenders. Some residents and commentators are questioning whether existing laws and monitoring protocols are sufficient to prevent individuals with violent histories from reoffending. Others caution against drawing conclusions before all the facts are known, pointing out that due process and fair trials are essential pillars of the justice system.
As the city waits for Brooks’ upcoming court appearance, attention is turning to broader issues of prevention and accountability. City officials have promised a thorough review of the case and a renewed commitment to public safety. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims and ensuring that justice is served.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to reach out to the Rochester Police Department. The hope is that, by coming together as a community, Rochester can begin to heal from these traumatic events and take meaningful steps to prevent them from happening again.
The coming days will be critical as the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds. For now, the city remains united in its resolve to protect its residents and hold those responsible for these crimes fully accountable.
