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Suspect arrested in sexual assault outside Pan Am hotel

By Juan Soto

A suspect was arrested Thursday night in connection with the attempted sexual assault of a 26-year-old mother in front of her three children behind the Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst last Sunday, police said.

Pedro Vargas, 48, of Yonkers, faces charges for felony assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the NYPD said.

According to officials, Vargas allegedly posed as a cab driver when he picked up the woman and her three children, ages 1, 3 and 5, in Upper Manhattan.

Police said that when they arrived in Elmhurst, the suspect tried to sexually assault the victim.

When the woman resisted, police said, Vargas allegedly elbowed the 5 year-old kid, removed the 3-year-old from the car and fled the scene in his car.

The suspect was busted days after the NYPD released a sketch of the fake cab driver and a video of the attack.

The three children were taken to Elmhurst Hospital center with minor injuries.