Queens Tribune

Rapes Prompt Police Patrols On Bus Routes: City police have beefed up its presence on various bus routes hoping to catch the serial rapist who has terrorized areas of Southeast Queens this summer. NYPD special victims unit investigators and uniformed officers are boarding buses to distribute composites of a suspect, and patrol cars have been assigned to follow some buses with their lights flashing to assure the safety of riders.

The increased measures come after two recent sexual assaults were attributed to the rapist, and come on top of a $12,000 reward being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The most recent incident occurred on Aug. 1 near 145th Ave. where police said an 18-year-old was pushed to the ground by a man with a knife. She suffered a minor cut to the hand and the suspect took off. Police believe it was the same man who sexually abused a 21-year-old woman at a bus stop near Sutphin Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue on July 28, and two days earlier abused an 18-year-old at Linden and Farmers boulevards. In that instance, the victim was able to break free and the suspect fled, but not before being caught on video. These cases fit the pattern of rapes committed on July 8 and 10, according to police, and in both cases the victims were at bus stops waiting for the Q-85 bus. Both victims said the suspect was wearing a t-shirt with writing and/or a design, one describing it as a black tribal pattern with skulls and a rose on it.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call crime stoppers at 800-577-tips. All calls are kept confidential.