Brooklyn Port-A-Potty Rape: Scene Examined By Police Days After Woman Alleges Attack

GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN — The port-a-potty that was the site of an alleged rape was being investigated by police Friday, four days after a woman reported the crime and the NYPD released two suspects without charges, witnesses said.

Greenpoint resident Colleen Mauro, 63, saw police standing around the port-a-potties near 176 Banker Street at 1:45 p.m. Friday, she said.

The central toilet in a row of three was blocked off with police tape and a police car was parked on the curb, said Mauro.

That's where a 26-year-old woman said she'd been attacked. She was found her crying in the street Monday evening.

Two suspects were apprehended by police that night, but no charges were brought against them because of “inconsistencies” in the woman’s story and a lack of evidence, police and law enforcement sources said Tuesday.

The public outcry that ensued spurred acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to promise Wednesday that his office would investigate the incident and meet with the young woman.

Mauro and about 25 Greenpoint residents gathered outside the toilets on Thursday evening to express their solidarity with the young woman and anger at law officials who released the suspects without a more thorough examination of the physical evidence.

“There needs to be a real investigation,” said Emily Raw, 42.

“You can take a sh-t in them,” said vigil organizer Emily Gallagher who feared important evidence was being damaged by toilets not being sealed by police.

Photo courtesy of Colleen Mauro