15-Year-Old Arrested In 5 Islands Park Sexual Assault Of Juvenile

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Police have arrested a teenager linked to at least two sexual assaults in the city.

On August 7, just after 9:3o a.m., New Rochelle police were called to Five Islands Park on the report of a sexual assault. The victim, a juvenile girl, was located and treated for her injuries at a local hospital. She told police that a stranger had followed her down Main Street to the park. She was grabbed from behind and assaulted by the male attacker. A woman at the popular park witnessed the attack and interceded, causing the perpetrator to flee the scene.

Patrol units quickly began to search for the suspect.

New Rochelle Police Department detectives were able to locate the suspect at approximately 2 p.m. near New Rochelle High School where the 15-year-old was arrested.

Detectives were then able to link the teen to an assault that occurred on August 4, shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Soundview Avenue in New Rochelle. In that incident, the attacker similarly followed a juvenile girl, before attacking her from behind and bringing her to the ground. Two bystanders witnessed the attack and called out, scaring the suspect off.

In both attacks, the attacker was a stranger to the victim, according to police.

In the August 7 attack, the teen, whose identity has not been released, was charged with aggravated sexual abuse, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and forcible touching. In connection with the August 4 attack, he was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and forcible touching.