Man arrested for stalking, raping woman inside Bronx park
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly stalked, raped, and robbed a woman inside a Bronx park.
The suspect, identified as Christopher Martinez, is facing charges of rape, robbery, forcible touching, and criminal sex acts.
The shocking incident occurred on Tuesday at about 8:30 a.m. in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx.
Police said the suspect was waiting for the 38-year-old woman to leave her home in the area of Beech Terrace and Beekman Avenue when he approached her with a knife and forced her to follow him.
The suspect lead the woman across the street to St. Mary’s Park where he brutally raped her before stealing her debit card.
The assailant then fled westbound on East 141st Street. A short time later, he used the debit card to make a $3 purchase at a deli.
The victim claimed she did not know the assailant. She was taken to a local hospital where she was listed in stable condition.
Residents say that the park has been an unsafe place for years.
One resident said: “There are things that happen over here constantly, sadly, because the area is so big. I don’t know I feel like we need a little more help out here.”
“I think they should put more surveillance cameras and things like that in the park because this is not the first time,” said another resident.
