East Harlem Man Arrested for Trying to Rape an 8-Year-Old Girl: Police

EAST HARLEM, NY — A man who broke into an East Harlem apartment and attempted to rape an 8-year-old girl was arrested Thursday, police said.

Juan Barreto, 27, has been charged with attempted rape, burglary and endangering the welfare of a child. Barreto lived on East 108th Street, the same street where the break-in and attempted rape occurred, police said.

The attack occurred on July 7 at 11:15 p.m. when the girl was in her room sleeping. Barreto woke up the child and attempted to sexually assault her, police said. He then fled out the bedroom window and down a fire escape.

The girl was not injured in the attack.

[Photo: NYPD]