CLAVERACK – A Claverack man is being held in the Columbia County Jail without bail following his arrest on Sunday on a number of charges including attempted rape.
State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested Christopher McCaul, 40, on felony charges of burglary, attempted rape, assault, and criminal mischief, and misdemeanors of forcible touching, criminal obstruction of an airway, criminal mischief for preventing the victim from making an emergency call, and resisting arrest.
Troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence on Route 217 for a possible burglary and when they arrived, they learned McCaul allegedly tried to sexually assault the woman. After a brief struggle, he was taken into custody.
Investigation determined McCaul had been talking to the woman outside the home at which time he forcibly touched her. She ran into the home and locked the door. McCaul then allegedly forced his way in and threw her phone away while she was calling Columbia County 911.
McCaul was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital for evaluation before being arraigned and transported to the county jail.
