By Howard Koplowitz
Antonio Ortiz, 40, of 85-02 Rockaway Blvd., was charged with rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, burglary and criminal possession, according to the DA. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the charges.The suspect was arrested based on DNA evidence in this case that linked him through his profile on a national DNA database, Brown said.Scott Dufault, Ortiz' attorney, could not be reached for comment.The DA said Ortiz found the woman, who was not publicly identified, sleeping in a second-floor bedroom of her friend's home in Richmond Hill at around 3:30 a.m. Aug. 24, the criminal complaint said. The woman woke up and saw Ortiz holding a knife and claiming to be a cop, according to the complaint.When the woman tried to run from Ortiz, he pushed her on the bed, raped her and tried to take money, jewelry and other items she had in a tote bag and left.”This case underscores yet again the crucial importance of DNA evidence,” Brown said. “The defendant is alleged to have thought he could avoid apprehension in the case, but was ultimately done by his own genes. “I hope the victim in this case feels a sense of comfort knowing that her alleged perpetrator has been apprehended and is being held behind bars.”The woman was taken to a local hospital where physicians prepared a sexual assault evidence kit, Brown said. Law enforcement officials were told that the rape DNA kit matched that of Ortiz, who was in the database after he was convicted of a Brooklyn burglary. Ortiz was arraigned Jan. 18 before Queens Criminal Court Judge William Harrington, who held him without bail, Brown said. Ortiz's next court date is scheduled for Feb. 5.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
