By Ivan Pereira
Police say one of the suspects wanted in the string of sexual assaults in southeast Queens since the start of the fall has struck again in the area.
The NYPD released a new sketch of the man who approached a woman with a box cutter near 108th Drive and Merrick Boulevard and raped her early in the morning of Oct. 13. The suspect, who is described as a black man between 25 and 30 years old, 5-foot-5 and approximately 220 pounds, has been connected to two sex attacks in as many months, investigators said.
On Nov. 15, he told a woman he had a gun and raped her near 145th Street around 1 a.m., police said. And on Wednesday, the same man placed a sharp object in the back of a woman around 1 a.m. near 154th Street and 109th Avenue, took her to the back of a nearby residence and attempted to rape her, according to investigators.
The victim was able to get away, police said.
The police issued a new sketch after Wednesday’s incident when he was seen wearing a black pullover hooded sweatshirt and a white-and-blue striped scarf, investigators said. They also released a video of the attack that was shot from a nearby surveillance camera.
Officers were still looking for another suspect who is wanted in three other sex assaults near Rosedale that date back to September. In October, a 15-year-old Springfield Gardens boy was arrested in connection with a case involving sexual assaults against two women in Laurelton.
Anyone with information on these crimes is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), text their tips to 274637 (crimes) then enter TIP577 or log onto www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All reports will be kept confidential.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
