MALDEN — For weeks, women moved through a busy MBTA station on their way to work, school, and home — unaware police now say an alleged predator was hunting in plain sight.

The attacks, described by investigators as random and in some cases sexually motivated, unfolded in and around the Malden Center MBTA station, a daily choke point for commuters during early-morning hours.

That fear ended just after sunrise.

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on February 6, Malden Police Detectives — backed by the department’s Special Operations Unit — executed arrest and search warrants at a residence on Ferdinand Street in Melrose following an intensive investigation.

The suspect, 35-year-old Melrose native Ralph Fleuristil, has been charged in connection with the assaults. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Police say at least two of the incidents appeared to be sexually motivated. Two female victims have been identified — but investigators believe at least two more women were attacked and have not yet come forward.

The assaults are believed to have begun around January 18, stretching into February, as detectives uncovered a disturbing pattern centered on the transit area.

The investigation was led by Detective David Yung, with police relying heavily on surveillance footage and video provided by community members to identify and track the suspect’s movements.

Officials say the case hinged on that footage, which helped detectives piece together what they describe as a random assault pattern playing out steps from public transit.

Despite the arrest, police are now warning the danger may not be fully accounted for.

Investigators are urging any additional victims — or anyone familiar with the suspect — to contact the Malden Police Department, stressing that some women may still be suffering in silence.

Detective Yung can be reached at 781-397-7181.

The department thanked residents and businesses who assisted, calling the arrest a direct result of community vigilance.

For commuters passing through Malden Center, the arrest may bring relief. But police say the investigation remains open as they work to identify every victim and determine how many women were targeted before the alleged predator was stopped.