New York City Police Department released on June 17 the photo of a suspect accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in the wooded area of Kissena Corridor Park in Flushing.
Previously, a sketch of the suspect had been released by the NYPD, and on the 17th, they disclosed a photo of the suspect riding a bicycle along with a video of him riding on the sidewalk, obtained from surveillance footage.
On Thursday, June 13, at 3:30 pm, a 13-year-old female student and a 13-year-old male classmate were threatened by an assailant wielding a machete on the wooded path of Kissena Corridor Park across from IS 237, forcing them into the wooded area, binding their hands with shoelaces, sexually assaulting the girl, and stealing their phones. Shoelaces and a water bottle believed to be left by the suspect were found at the scene.
The NYPD offered a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect, with an additional $3,500 if the suspect is arrested and convicted.
Described by authorities as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, in his twenties, curly hair, wearing red sneakers, sporting a green backpack, braces, and a tattoo of a cow horn on his chest.
The incident took place in the wooded area of Kissena Corridor Park Trail, a rare urban oasis in the bustling city where the dense trees provide cover, and the adjacent primitive paths maintain an untouched ecology. Visitors often come here seeking tranquility in nature or as a shortcut away from the busy streets, unaware of the potential dangers lurking within the secluded woods.
Following the incident, the park surrounding was filled with police cars, patrols were intensified, and mounted police were dispatched to conduct thorough searches in the woods. Portable floodlights were also placed along the pathways to enhance visibility.
Residents urged for the enlargement of the trail, installation of lighting and surveillance cameras to enhance safety in the wooded area.
On the 17th, the founder of Guardian Angels along with several Republican candidates in Queens called for an increase in police presence in the community surrounding the park. An attendee, Mr. Zhang, who has been living in the community for 7 years and has two children, expressed concern over the safety of the neighborhood following the heinous incident. While residents enjoy the amenities the community offers, such as Kissena Corridor Park, playgrounds, and gardens, the recent crime has raised worries about the security in the area.
Mr. Zhang emphasized the need for improvements on the wooded path where the incident occurred, suggesting widening the path to provide escape routes and enhance visibility, installing surveillance cameras, and adding solar-powered lighting to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Long-time resident Steven Liu, who has lived in the area for 23 years, rarely ventures into the secluded path due to safety concerns. He advised parents, especially girls, to strengthen self-defense and avoid isolated areas, recommending the use of main roads instead of poorly lit paths.