Queens rape: Police detain a person-of-interest in Kissena Park sex assault of 13-year-old girl

FLUSHING, Queens (WABC) — A “strong person-of-interest” is in custody in the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Kissena Park.

The man has been identified as a 25-year-old migrant from Ecuador who was spotted by community members around 1 a.m. who recognized him from video released by police.

He was recognized by members of the community who held him until police were called. Charges have not yet been fired.

Police credit old-fashioned gumshoe detective work: canvassing the neighborhood, putting up posters and mobilizing the community.

“The city said no,” Chief of Patrol John Chell said. “Great community response and that’s what you want.”

Police also credit the victim herself and her 13-year-old schoolmate, who was also forcibly taken, for giving a description of the person, and a distinctive tattoo, that enabled a quality sketch.

“Between the courageous work of those children, who are scarred for life, and the community this person is off the street,” Chell said.

Last week, two teens’ playtime turned into a nightmare after police say the man approached two 13-year-olds with a machete-style knife and forced them into the woods.

Police say he then snatched their cellphones, tied the pair’s wrists together, and then sexually assaulted the young girl.

Investigators did recover the shoelace used to tie the children’s hands together, along with a water bottle that the accused rapist left behind.

These new developments come after the NYPD offered a $10,000 reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Police say the person of interest has had several prior arrests, along with a couple of summons in New York City since he entered the country in 2021.

Chell and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry appeared on Eyewitness News Mornings @ 10 to talk about the case and the community response.

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