Police said a 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a disturbing rape of 45-year-old woman in the South Bronx earlier this month during which she was attacked from behind with a belt.

 

As reported, the NYPD had been asking for the public’s help identifying the person seen in the attached photos who they said was wanted in connection to the rape.

 

Police said that on Wednesday, May 1, at around 5 a.m., in the vicinity of East 152nd Street and Third Avenue, the victim, a 45-year-old woman, was walking in the area when an unidentified man approached her from behind, wrapped an object around her neck, and pulled her to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness.

 

They said the man then dragged the victim between two cars and sexually assaulted her. “Subsequently, the male fled on foot towards Melrose Avenue,” a police spokesperson said. “The victim was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln by private means in stable condition.”

Police said the suspect is described as male, has medium complexion, is 5 feet 9 inches tall, and was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with white “GAP” lettering on it, white sweatpants, and black, red and white sneakers.

 

Pursuant to an ongoing investigation, police said Kashaan Parks of East 185th Street in Belmont was arrested on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m.

 

He was charged with rape in the first degree, assault in the second degree, strangulation in the second degree, sex abuse in the first degree, public lewdness in the frist degree, and harassment in the first degree.

 

Parks is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.