Canarsie’s top cop says the “5 am rapist” will soon be doing time.
Inspector Milt Marmara, the commanding officer of the 69th Precinct, said his officers are in the middle of a “very agressive” campaign to root out the man wanted for sexually assaulting a young woman near the corner of E. 96th Street and Avenue M on Jan. 20. The same man is also wanted for mugging a second woman near the corner of Avenue K and E. 89th Street the same day.
Marmara said he’s utilizing undercover units, as well as cops from other commands, in the precinct’s search for the man who’s been dubbed “the 5 am rapist.”
“[The attack] happened at a unique hour, so we are focusing on those times,” Marmara said. “We are also pulling out all the stops to find any information we can about the person responsible.”
Residents up that late will see increased patrols between 3 and 7 am, 69th Precinct Community Affairs Sergeant Joanne Gonzalez told members of the United Canarsie South Civic Association, who urged women to be more aware of their surroundings as they return home late at night.
“[Women] should walk in pairs if they can,” she said. “If they think someone is following them, they should cross the street. If he’s still following you, run right up to the nearest house and ring the bell.”
Investigators believe the rapist lives in Canarsie and has been laying low since his initial attack. Cops thought he had resurfaced and attacked a woman on Avenue M near E. 99th Street on Jan. 30, but the victim recanted her story last week.
Anyone with information regarding the rapist is urged to contact NYPD CrimeStoppers at (800) 577-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.
