Suspect arrested for sexual assault in Queens Park, police say

NEW YORK – A suspect was taken into custody for questioning after police said 13-year-old girl was sexually abused last week in Kissena Park in Queens.

The NYPD confirmed early Tuesday morning that the individual in question was in custody. No further details were released.

The news comes after police published a photo of a man they are looking for Monday and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Investigators said the suspect threatened a 13-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl with a machete knife and dragged them into a wooded section of the park, where he tied them up with a shoelace and then sexually assaulted the girl. It happened last Thursday after school.

The suspect is said to have left behind a shoelace and a water bottle, which are currently being examined.

On Monday evening, community leaders gathered near the park, calling for more police and cameras in the area, and handing out fliers in various languages ​​in the hope of a tip that could lead investigators to the suspect.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or DM on Twitter, @NYPDTipsAll calls will be treated confidentially.